Lighting in Communities

Research evidence indicates that lighting affects people’s willingness to use urban spaces after dark. Lighting at night is essential for traffic safety, orientation and feelings of safety. Lighting may also affect the way in which these spaces are used, e.g. route choices, and how frequently they are used. Increased amounts of walking and cycling, instead of motorised mobility, has environmental benefits, such as lower levels of fine particles in the air.

Europe is facing a demographic change into an aged society. People over 50 years old already need more and better light. Cities should be prepared to provide accessible outdoor spaces for senior citizens. Besides fear of crime, fear of falling may also lead to diminished outdoor activities amongst the aging population. During winter evenings low ambient light levels together with slippery pavements create a challenging environment for senior citizens who possibly stoop to see the path better. There is research indicating that a lighting system providing horizontal and vertical visual cues positively affects postural control.

Directing light only where it is needed is a complex issue. Modern digital lighting systems including sensors and controls are making this possible. On traffic routes, the main emphasis is on lighting vehicles and the road surface to reveal any obstructions. Tall columns, widely spaced are a common solution. In urban areas, the pavements and pedestrians also need to be illuminated. Vertical illumination using a good colour rendering source becomes an important feature in order to identify people and see their faces. Columns should be on a more human scale, with reduced column height and spacing to minimise harsh shadowing from obstructions. In residential areas, many people like there to be enough spill light so that they can see their gardens or insert a key into their front door.

Case Studies


Metro stations, Helsinki, Finland
Project by VALOA design

Spatial experience: Lighting schemes for the metro stations were designed with the idea of representing the natural elements that surround each station

Human-centric lighting in the stations' underground spaces:
- Increased lighting on a clear and bright day, inversely less lighting at dusk - respects the circadian rhythm
- Control unit monitors the varying amounts of daylight according to the Nordic seasons
Architecture-integrated lighting: transparent walls backlit, general lighting hidden into the structures

LIFE-DIADEME street lighting project, Rome, Italy
Project by Reverberi

About 90 million of European public street luminaires are accounting more than 50% of energy consumption and 60% of related bills. LIFE-DIADEME project is introducing a new-concept control system for street lighting aiming to 30% energy saving compared to state-of-the art dimming systems. A network of 1,000 low-cost sensor for the experimental test in Rome EUR district, will monitor noise, traffic and air pollution. Collected data is thus expanding monitored area knowledge base, promoting urban climate mitigation transferrable actions and enhancing road safety through real-time detection of atypical weather and traffic conditions.

Photo: Reverberi
Sensors measuring lighting, radar/IR, noise level, air quality, vibration/inclination, temperature, pressure and humidity
Adaptive lighting: real time smart dimming considering traffic flow (car counting), weather condition and luminance makes it possible to achieve +30% of energy saving compared to a usual statistical dimming profile
Did you know?

Good street lighting helps reduce accidents, and white light increases our sense of safety.


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