Impact of setbacks on thermal comfort and visual privacy in detached houses in Jordan

Abstract

ABSTRACT Currently, there is a growing interest in enhancing building regulations in Jordan since it has a direct impact on the quality of the built environment and then on individuals’ life. Human satisfaction is connected with comfort level in several aspects, including thermal, physical, psychological, and personnel. Such a relation required a comprehensive and integrated vision to be analysed in general and in conservative culture as Jordan in specific. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the impact of buildings’ setbacks on thermal comfort and visual privacy for residential development, which has been classified into four categories based on assigned land use. Field observation and spatial analysis were done for the research setting. The relation between thermal comfort and visual privacy in a detached house was tested by using primary data that was conducted through an online survey from 254 respondents. Research data were analysed using multinomial regression analysis showing that the level of satisfaction correlates with setbacks; a higher level of satisfaction resulted from better thermal comfort and visual privacy with larger setbacks. However, this contradicts principles of sustainability that appreciate intensification guidelines to reduce sprawl. So, there is a need to revise building codes to improve the level of satisfaction and well-being.