Daylight in the built environment

Relatively recent cultural and technological changes, particularly in Westernized societies, have led to habitat and lifestyle shifts that have gradually estranged us from daylight. Although human beings are resilient and appear able to cope with extreme variations in environmental and living conditions, this process of separation can have negative impacts on health and well-being. Further research is essential in order to understand the impact of these changes and to initiate corrective measures, from changes in lifestyle and cultural attitudes to adjustments in the built environment and technology. This section explores these issues and the range of possible solutions.