This week, the long-awaited paper I’ve eagerly anticipated was finally published. I’m overjoyed because this publication officially marks the official numbers of the documents I need to wrap up my PhD project and prepares me for the final paper and submission.

On the substantive side, this paper delves into the crucial subject of the non-visual impact of daylight in the built environment of Trondheim, Norway. Our study’s results reveal that achieving the recommended level of daylight (250 lux of Melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminance) in Trondheim is a challenge. Even with 40 cm away from a south-facing window, it’s insufficient. To regulate your sleep patterns effectively, you essentially need to step outside to obtain the necessary daylight (M. Nazari, B. Matusiak, O. Stefani, (2023)).

When I first relocated to Norway, it was both surprising and a bit startling to learn that it’s a common practice for people to let their newborns sleep outdoors, even in winter. This tradition is believed to encourage better sleep in infants. Last year, I met a researcher from the University of Sussex who was specifically researching this Norwegian practice and comparing it to parents in the UK regarding infant sleep patterns and its effects on parental mental health.

Observing people in front of our apartment building block jogging and running outdoors year-round, regardless of the weather, and contrasting it with the findings of our paper, highlights how inhabitants of a particular environment develop cultural habits over time. These habits become part of their daily routine and help them adapt to their surroundings.

Most Norwegians I know seem to cherish the sun, traveling throughout Europe to bask in its warmth and stock up on sunshine every year. They lead active lifestyles and love spending time outdoors. I recall a friend from northern Norway sharing how every year, her mom would take them on a drive south to see the sun rise a bit sooner. Each time, seeing the sun after the long, dark winter would bring joyful tears to her eyes.

Skiing and hiking are top priorities, and their diet is rich in fish and vitamin D to compensate for what’s lacking during the short winter days. It’s fascinating to think about how newcomers to Nordic countries, like most immigrants, can initially struggle with the darkness during their first years in the region. I have a vivid memory of my first winter in Stockholm during my master’s studies, which presented quite a challenge. The thought of not having enough light gave me a claustrophobic feeling, and the cold discouraged outdoor activities. Most days were overcast, and I anxiously counted down the days to the spring equinox when the days would grow longer again.

However, the following year, I joined some friends for winter sports like ice skating. Stockholm has a beautiful park in the heart of the city that transforms a water fountain into an ice skating rink during the winter. You can rent skates or bring your own, enjoy music, and have fun with friends. Going outdoors and appreciating every ray of sunshine became the key to combating the winter blues. After moving to Norway, taking a short lunchtime walk when the sun is out became a necessity. Norwegian salmon became a part of my daily routine, and winter was no longer dark and gloomy; it was ski season and cozy.

Nevertheless, I’m still surprised that while traditions encourage Norwegians to appreciate these aspects of life, modern architecture and urban design often neglect them in Nordic cities. Many apartments in Trondheim have windows only facing north, which means no direct sunlight. Worse still, numerous student dormitories are located in basements with minimal access to daylight. Older houses obstruct their windows to reduce environmental stimulation, and automatic shading in office spaces prevents sunlight from entering, even when it should.

Much of the content I explore in this discussion stems from reflections I’ve had since the publication of my paper. While not all of these ideas are directly included in the paper, I am hopeful that our study’s findings underscore the profound influence of our built environment on our health. My aim is to inspire city policymakers and decision-makers to take meaningful action towards fostering a healthier and more beneficial environment.

Refrence:

• Marzieh Nazari, Barbara Matusiak, Oliver Stefani, Utilising spectral lighting simulation technique for evaluating transmitted daylight through glazing: Exploring the non-visual effects and colour appearance, Heliyon, Volume 9, Issue 10, 2023, e20436, ISSN 2405-8440, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20436.