Lighting in Design November December 2017

4. Juxtapose dark and light Lighting should recognise the benefits of con- trasting dark and lighted spaces. Darkness serves important functional and aesthetic purposes such as protecting nocturnal habitats that thrive in dark- ness or require natural solar patterns to survive, and creating a sense of mystery or drama in open spaces by amplifying lighted spaces. Lighting can therefore be designed around darkness to enhance and modify peoples’ perception of urban features at different times of the day. 5. Reduce pollution and trespass Designers should be mindful of the negative im- pacts of light pollution, trespass, glare and sky glow. Appropriate luminaire designs such as downward facing, shielding or full cut-off angles can restrict excess luminance on the ground, as well as light spill into the sky. Use of multipurpose utility poles or luminance from the ground floor retail establish- ment windows can also limit the need for additional street and pedestrian-level luminaires. 6. Encourage art and installations Lighting should encourage and explore the use of state-of-the-art multimedia tools for infusing colour, sound, motion and art into the public realm. Luminaires could be purpose-designed and built to either support temporary art installations or them- selves become a part of the larger urban furniture as art tools. Dynamic mediums such as luminous colours, displays, laser, etc., can draw interest, off- set overcast conditions or even combat unattractive environments, thereby transforming the way these cities are perceived and used at night. 7. Balance connectivity and safety Connected lighting should increase the ease of use while balancing the perceived safety of public realms such as parks, squares, transportation routes for pedestrians, bicycles, etc.While sensor- packed urban luminaires come with huge concerns over their incessant data collection, informing citizens about what their data is being used for and why, can be a way of tackling this ‘big brother’ syndrome. 8.Advance innovation andmonitoring The urban lighting realm should be advanced by monitoring existing installations to better under- stand where improvements can be made and innovation applied. A variety of techniques can

be used to gain public support, build interest and increase the civic value of lighting. These include working with local socio-economic players to de- fine area-specific features or promoting a unified image for luminaires, providing necessary training to city technicians or manufacturers for monitoring existing installations, and encouraging innovative luminaires for new development projects. Much more than watts This roadmap shows that lighting for smart cities is about creating desirable habitats for humans, flora and fauna, and not just saving energy. Therefore, detailed design objectives for urban lighting have to be instituted at the planning stage. Extensive public consultation is also required to ensure the inten- tions of the lighting master plan are materialising and meeting the needs of the citizens. The author Amardeep M Dugar, PhD, IALD, Member IES (2011), SLL, is founder and principal of Lighting Research & Design, Chennai, India. References 1. Ünver A. People’s experience of urban lighting in public space. Middle East Technical University, Ankara, TURKEY; 2009. 2. Casciani D, Rossi M. ELSE, Experience of Lighting Sustainability in the Environment. In: Cumulus 2012. Helsinki, FINLAND; 2012. 3. Dugar AM. Urban lighting masterplan – a step towards creating smarter cities. In: India Interna- tional Science Fest (IISF 2016) –Young Scientists Conclave. New Delhi, INDIA; 2016. p. 127-8. 4. Berst J, Enbysk L, Ebi K, Cooley D, Peeples D, Caine C, et.al. Smart Cities Readiness Guide: The planning manual for building to- morrow’s cities today (Internet). Redmond, WA USA; 2015. Available from: http://smart- citiescouncil.com/system/files/main/premi- um_resources/Readiness-Guide-V2-8-24-2015. pdf?file=1&type=node&id=2532 5. Paskovic A. Urban lighting: Planning for Public Spaces in Vancouver’s Southeast False Creek. Queen’s University, Kingston, ON CANADA; 2012. This article was first published in the September 2017 issue of LD+A and is reprinted with the kind permission of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.

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