Thanks for an interesting summary of the issues surrounding borrowed light. This is a complex area that involves both planning and building regulations and as such simple solutions are not likely. Some points based on my research:
• Daily access to natural light is necessary to rest individual circadian regulation, the process that regulated the sleep/wake cycle. Artificial light is on a different spectral wavelength and is not effective for this task,
• Borrowing light requires larger windows in the primary room – this introduces compliance considerations under the BCA energy efficiency rules,
• More important than borrowed natural light in the question of borrowed ventilation and health. Where natural ventilation is not available (such as an openable window) and poorly designed mechanical ventilation is provided as a substitute, CO2 levels can easily exceed 2000ppm, which can potentially affect health.
Thanks again for an interesting article, but unfortunately I don’t think the review will examine the issues in the depth necessary to ensure good outcomes

GET OUT OF MY LIFE, YOU BASTARDS!

Whether I can see or not within my own dwelling, or even whether I'm healthy or sick, is none of your business - STAY OUT!

Judging by an inside look at the new apartment blocks (aka ant hills) going up here in Tichmond/Abbotsgord in Melbourne all I see is the latest addition to the next generation of slum buildings.The only thing that will stop them degenerating into slums is they are so shodily built that they will either be torn down or have a very major interior makeover within the next 10 years.

Regards
DKit

Q: Should natural light in apartments be more tightly regulated?

A: Yes

As far as I am concerned all bedrooms should have direct natural ventilation and natural light from outside the building. It is enough of a concession that many bedrooms do not have any allowance for cross ventilation.

We need to look beyond the immediate cost (and profit) of apartments to consider the quality of life and wellness of the occupants. Remembering too that bedrooms often serve dual roles as work and study centres.

You should worry, the light in my cave has never been worse, but only since the bats moved in and repeatedly put out the fire, with their continuing fly in fly out policy; and the sheer volume of steaming guano they seem to be continually adding to it, with every exit or entry.

You should see the callouses I've built up on my hands, rubbing two sticks together; well, I had run out of boy scouts, who ran off screaming into the night.

Well they were frightened off by the influx of bats, and knot even a dozen Swiss army knives tied to sticks with scout scarves, would discourage the bat invasion? Although one promising Don did "bat" a few for six!

Fortunately, the bats haven't yet discovered the nearby church or more importantly its belfry; otherwise the missus would be in a state of permanent bewilderment?

It's hard enough to have to listen to her almost permanent rendition of, my silver bells, as she drags in another log for the fire, without its literal accompaniment by the real thing.

On the plus side, the additional slightly scorched guano; has allowed me to triple the crop of non light dependent magic mushies, which by the way, makes the otherwise odious burnt bat stew a little more moorish.

Incidentally, the charcoal content seems to have taken care of a slight case of Mazuma's revenge/delly belly?
Rhrosty.

A dimmer switch on the solar furnace perhaps?

Well it would take care of climate change!?
Rhrosty.

Interesting and correct, it is up to a purchaser or tenant to be aware of apartment specifications and features (or not).

Further, I'm a little suspicious of the RE media and Oz or 'white nativist'* propaganda industry who encourage people to worship houses on a block while ignoring disadvantages (some related to light, energy, design and construction quality e.g. no tree lines blocking harsh daytime sun).

* The white nativist lobby's tactic is to demonise immigrants etc. indirectly via proxies, just in case anyone thinks they are racist. Accordingly, even apartment living comes into their cross hairs as it's apparently preferred by immigrants, Asians etc.

On the other hand, many educated, media sceptic and supposedly aware peope, living in houses, are able to offer negative views on new CBD apartments, without ever visiting let alone staying in one, e.g. size, light, noise, construction quality, capital gains, body corporate etc.

If buyers or tenants of both houses and apartments are aware of the pros and cons, while having a systematic plan of what fits their needs, then maybe the market will inform others, and there is no need to demonise apartments? (It's not unlike the seemingly nuanced and rehearsed antipathy displayed about football vs ARL/NRL via MSM, i.e. sports codes placed onto the altar of 'Oz identity' vs foreign imports)

For once we agree Yuyutsu. Yes I HATE PLANNERS too. I have never yet seen any of their fool plans that did not have disastrous unintended consequences. We need more regulations imposed from on high, like a hole in the head. Come the revolution, planners must be the first lined up against the wall.

I recently had an argument with a pommy planner working in Newcastle NSW, who wanted to force the introduction of double glazing, for god sake. Totally unnecessary in our climate, but yet another thing to impose on the public, by clowns who couldn't add 2 + 2.

Andras Smith, "I'm a little suspicious of the RE media and Oz or 'white nativist'* propaganda industry who encourage people to worship houses on a block while ignoring disadvantages (some related to light, energy, design and construction quality e.g. no tree lines blocking harsh daytime sun)"

You are inventing a problem to solve and you already have the solution?

I've had a fair bit to do with small developments and I can assure you that the wave of apartment construction in inner city areas is high standard, luxury. They are being snapped up by wealthy achievers and for obvious reasons, lock up and leave for frequent travellers, closeness to amenities and entertainment and so on.

Much of the lower cost unit developments by private investors has been at the request of government and to government standards. There is a lot of creativity and lateral thinking going into low cost housing and that is obvious from the results.

I have never come across any of the prejudice you allege. I reckon it is complete bunkum.

Think you misunderstand, I am an apt. living protagonist, living in one myself 45sq, built 1888 with 80cm thick outer walls, and 15cm supporting walls, with natural light, inside courtyard, annual costs $2k :)

In Australia I could not name a single friend or acquaintance who has expressed any desire to live in an apt, although maybe detached unit, for all the perceived negative reasons that I mentioned, while being quite strongly pro traditional multi bedroomed house and block with bigger mortgage), even if no kids!

When I speak of 'white nativists' I'm speaking in this context of an academic demographer whose 'research' is transmitted by many in media and politics, who has felt free to dismiss apt. living as 'unAustralian'..... especially as apts house international students, Chinese/Asians, 457 temp workers etc.

The same 'expert', described as 'Australia's best demographer' by Bob Carr, while a conservative economics policy academic claimed the same demographer 'has never seen an immigrant he liked'.

I do plan to maybe buy something in Oz, and it will almost definitely be an inner city apt., so best of luck!

//Should natural light in apartments be more tightly regulated?//

Yep. Time to re-introduce window tax. Because the government doesn't interfere with our lives enough and we don't have enough taxes.

Andras Smith, "I do plan to maybe buy something in Oz, and it will almost definitely be an inner city apt., so best of luck!"

Hi and thanks for the reply.

Yes, I agree that the new city apartments offer a nice lifestyle. The social side is developing too.

A nice life style? Come on onthebeach, where the hell are you going to put the boat & the caravan, if you don't have a minimum of a large block, with rear access to the men's shed, & parking for the toys.

Hell I am finding my 20 acres is getting a bit crowded, with small 4000 Sq. Metre blocks just down the road. I recently had a look at a new satellite city south of Beenleigh. Many people I know would have to go on a diet to be able to walk between the houses. Almost as bad as apartment living.

I lived in some apartments when I was at Uni. I never want to live close enough to other people to smell their cooking ever again.

I can't imagine what you find entertaining in the city, but I suppose it takes all types.