Residence Layout Examined and Optimized by Sunshine: A Comparative Study between Barcelona and Northern Chinese Cities

This article compares the differences and similarities in residential layout and scale between Barcelona, Spain and Tianjin, a northern Chinese city, using Ladybug. We obtained sunshine simulation results under the same conditions in terms of building façades, lower floors, streets, courtyards and other aspects in two cities. Based on this, this paper draws on the advantages and disadvantages of the dense street network in the Eixample district of Barcelona and provides suggestions for the residential layout of cities in northern China. The aim of this study is to improve the residential layout of cities in northern China, while meeting the requirements of plot ratio and taking into account the favorable sunshine conditions in Barcelona. A key aspect of this study is the emphasis on the importance of capturing sunlight in future urban designs. Specifically, it highlights the potential for installing solar panels in areas with effective sunlight exposure of more than three hours daily such as streets, façades, rooftops and courtyards to harness solar energy and conserve resources. This paper compares the similarities and differences between the residence layout and scale in Barcelona, Spain and northern Chinese cities, regarding the overall façade of the building, the lower part of the building, and the streets and courtyards of the two coastal cities by using Ladybug to obtain sunshine simulation results under the same conditions and drawing lessons from the small block, dense street network of Barcelona’s Eixample district so as to put forward suggestions for the residential layout of northern Chinese cities. Research has found that the layout form of Barcelona housing is similar to the plot ratio of point and panel residential buildings in northern Chinese cities and has better hygiene conditions such as sunshine.