Less than a century ago, fewer than 10% of the world?s population lived in cities, whereas today over half of the world live in cities. In New Zealand, 85% of people live in cities and this trend is set to continue. The scale of city growth [? and in the case of Christchurch, of rebuilding,] presents new social, economic and environmental challenges for those who live, work and do business in cities.
There are opportunities to develop cities in a way that improves quality of life, reduces our environmental impact, increases pedestrian and road safety, reduces crime, promotes business, entrepreneurialism and tourism, and enhances our sense of belonging and pride. As urban areas grow and evolve, people will look to cities not just as a place of work, but as a place of community, recreation and public life. This holistic approach is reflected in Auckland?s recent draft spatial plan, Auckland Unleashed, [and Christchurch?s consultation on the new Central City Plan].
Lighting is an element that is often overlooked in public dialogue over urban design. Yet lighting has the power to transform cities. New Zealand is lucky to be able to benefit from the experiences of other cities around the world already using cutting-edge lighting design.
Just consider what Auckland?s War Memorial Museum, Christchurch Airport Tower, the Eiffel Tower, the Acropolis and Big Ben have in common. At night, these landmarks are all bathed in a wash of lighting that highlights and emphasizes their features. The right light reveals textures, creates silhouettes, or puts features in the spotlight, bringing a sense of drama and excitement to the cityscape.
The effect is certainly mood-enhancing and aesthetically pleasing, but it also helps each city establish an identity, a signature that defines its appeal and its differentiation from other cities in the world, region or nation. This isn?t just for civic pride, but also to ensure that these cities remain viable and competitive in the global market place.
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Beautiful lighting can also be prudent lighting. Take Berlin?s famous parliament building, the Reichstag. Its new lighting is highly energy efficient, resulting in average cost of just over one Euro per hour and saving 23,100kg of CO2 per year. Internationally, up to 50% of a local authority?s energy spending goes on lighting, so the cost savings from energy-efficient lighting can be enormous.
We all know that urban areas left poorly lit can become magnets for crime. A recent trial of white lights installed in a number of European cities discovered that people perceive the system?s lights to be up to 80% brighter than standard street lights, enabling them to identify faces more easily and earlier, which leads to a feeling of security.
Importantly, better lighting does more than make people feel safer. Philips? research has found white street lighting leads to a dramatic 25% drop in street crime in major cities. We believe this is because brighter lighting encourages people to come out and meet their friends and family after dark ? creating more lively spaces and fewer opportunities for crime.
Furthermore, cities calculate that the financial savings derived from reducing crime exceed the costs of improving street lighting by up to tenfold in just one year.
Because artificial light disturbs a delicate balance and can affect our sleep patterns, it?s also important to consider light ?contamination? in areas with mixed business and residential use. Rue Thubaneau is a traditionally narrow street in the French city of Marseille, lined with restaurants and museums. Since directional luminaires have been installed, passersby get what they need ? crisp illumination that makes them feel safe and secure ? while residents living above get what they need ? their homes no longer indiscriminately flooded by intrusive street lighting, which can affect sleep. The LED luminaires also save almost 50% on energy consumption, compared to previous street lighting, with maintenance costs further reduced due to a long lifetime of 50,000 hours.
Today?s lighting can use technology to respond to actual, real-time needs and reduce energy consumption. There are central systems that can monitor and control individual light points, and link to road condition updates, allowing for adjustments in lighting levels in response to accidents, traffic density and changing weather conditions. As a result, roads are illuminated more safely when conditions are bad, and lights are dimmed when not needed, delivering more efficiency through less frequent maintenance and energy savings of over 40%. As a bonus, tracking software and user-friendly reporting tools enable easy proof of return on investment and wise planning.
Another use of smart technology is ?light on demand?, which provides light only when and where it is needed. Sensor-enabled lamps offer a glow of white light as they are approached by passersby, and they dim as they walk away. Transitions between the lamps stay smooth, so pedestrians experience a seamless pathway of light. As a result, street lamps are only lit when needed, offering cities a safe way to reduce the energy they waste through unnecessary lighting. Testing has shown this sort of activity-based ?intelligent? lighting reduces energy use and light ?contamination? for those trying to sleep, while increasing safety.
As New Zealand cities grow and change, strong vision and leadership will be needed to ensure development actually improves people?s lives. Decision-makers must be visionary enough to choose an enlightened approach that improves safety, reduces energy consumption, creates tomorrow?s urban icons and ? most importantly ? enhances livability.
Source: http://www.yourhealthandwellbeing.asia/opinions/putting-the-spotlight-on-urban-design
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