Which of the following is a direct output of shadow mapping in urban design?

• A. The color palette of buildings.
• B. The orientation of a site toward sun exposure.
• C. The duration of shade created by buildings.
• D. The number of entrances in a building.

Answer: (C)

Shadow mapping in urban design is about determining which parts of a scene are in shadow as the sun moves and buildings block light. The direct output is the duration of shade that different spots experience, meaning how long a location remains shaded during the day or across seasons. This shadow-duration information is essential for understanding daylight access, pedestrian comfort, and solar exposure in an urban environment. The other options aren’t produced by shadow mapping: the color palette of buildings is about materials and aesthetics, site orientation toward sun exposure is a planning analysis based on geometry and climate rather than a computed shade duration, and the number of entrances is a design feature not derived from shadow calculations.