Low energy architecture and solar rights: Restructuring urban regulations, view from Jordan

The concept of solar energy conscious design has emerged worldwide with the growing number of high-rise apartment buildings. It is important to think of maximizing solar energy utilization in buildings through architectural design strategies. This should lead to the setting up of mandatory regulations on both urban and building design levels.This study analyzes the current building regulations of Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) from the standpoint of solar accessibility. It suggests new regulations that ensure adequate solar accessibility in new constructions of residential apartments in Amman. Computer simulations associated with sun masks analyses have been conducted to obtain a firm judgment towards setting up new dimensions of setbacks and building heights for apartment blocks in Amman. The study gives clear and flexible guidelines for urban and architectural designers to determine the number of sunlit floors based on the desired distances between apartment blocks. To achieve the goals of this study, the authors suggest that the current urban regulations in Jordan be modified on energy-based design strategies.