Lighting of urban green areas – the case of Grabiszyn Park in Wrocław. Searching for the balance between light and darkness through social and technical issues

Agata Łopuszyńska,Małgorzata Bartyna-Zielińska,B Kaźmierczak,M Kutyłowska,P Jadwiszczak,U Miller

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/201910000049

Agata Łopuszyńska, Małgorzata Bartyna-Zielińska + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/201910000049

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Abstract

Illuminating the urban green spaces could lead to conflicts of spatial, technical and social nature. This relatively new, though already global, problem is expected to grow bigger with the further increase of urban areas artificial brightness. The case of Grabiszyn Park in Wrocław is an example of how difficult it is to find a balance between big-city lights and a natural darkness. The situation is even more difficult if the light is not legally recognized as a significant source of air pollution and direct nuisance at the legal level. The aim of the paper is to recognize the broader perspective of urban greenery lighting issues, global recommendations basis and the local awareness. The authors also made an attempt to analyze and assess the project implementation, as well as to characterize the components of the quality of an urban green areas lighting.

Highlights

Illumination of urban area is a field of growing interest for designers and researchers, but for its users as well
The situation becomes complicated when people are exposed to artificial light but the lively elements of cities’ ecosystems, as well as in the case of urban green areas
The aim of the paper is to present the issues of urban green areas illumination, which represent an example of spatial conflict associated with artificial light

Summary

Introduction

Illumination of urban area is a field of growing interest for designers and researchers, but for its users as well. Current guidelines related to lighting are based on legal regulations and corresponding norms, as well as a lighting culture of the society and the awareness and choices of designers. The existing schematic technical standards refer mainly to roads [1], outdoor work spaces and sports areas [2]. Park lighting in Poland is not a subject to standards as it is in the case of streets, often creating more nuisance than road lighting [3]

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