5 things great urban lighting should do
It’s about more than just seeing the way
Whether it’s a welcoming public square, a thoughtfully lit landmark façade or streetlighting that makes roads feel safe and comfortable, urban lighting has a lot of boxes to tick. Here are five things we believe it should aim to achieve.
1. Provide safety and reassurance
Safety comes first, and light is a key factor in making spaces safe to move around. It gives people a clear view of their surroundings and the way ahead, promoting a relaxed atmosphere. This sensation of safety is what gives people the confidence to get out into the city after dark and make the most of it.
“Light can reveal structures in ways they have never been seen before”
2. Show the way
Beyond the requirements of safety and seeing where you need to go, lighting can help to support wayfinding by guiding people to the safest and quickest routes, and by making sure that areas are visible at night and can be used comfortably.
3. Bring character and creativity
No outdoor space has the same atmosphere by day as it does by night. Light helps to define and give identity to these spaces after dark. It can also allow facades, monuments and bridges to take on a new character after dark and become even more dramatic. Powerful, precise fittings and smart controls can reveal structures in ways they have never been seen before. Using products with a consistent design helps to achieve a sleek, unified solution.
“Good urban lighting respects the needs of neighbours, nature and the environment”
4. Save energy
Modern outdoor lighting installations with low-energy LED light sources and smart controls use dramatically less energy than older installations. Not only do they consume less power, they’re also only on when they are needed to be.
5. Protect the environment
Careful optical design, combined with controls, avoids light spilling into the windows of properties, or into the sky where it contributes to light pollution. In this way, good urban lighting respects the needs of neighbours, nature and the environment.