Informatologia, Vol. 47 No. 4, 2014.
Original scientific paper
VISUAL PERCEPTION AND EVALUATION OF ARTIFICIAL NIGHT LIGHT IN URBAN OPEN AREAS
Melita Rozman Cafuta
; Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
Abstract
The article explores holistic approach of understanding the importance of qualitative lighted urban environment. Night illuminations have an important visual potential. A night city appears quite different as during daytime. A concept of urban landscape is not only material reality, but it is also a mental structure that results subjective perception. Analytical research work discovered that environment perception differs during day and night. In the evening, attention is focused on light effects. Only illuminated points act as landmark. Both, bright and dark surfaces have an impression of districts. The role of main paths overtakes illuminated corridors. Recognition of nodes and edges is depended of the lighting intensity. The article represents different illuminated examples and provides guidance for qualitative lighting of urban open areas. Methodology of city lighting evaluation was developed during research work. The paper delivers an explanation of evaluation criteria which were considered. The research results show, that appropriate lighting arrangements are: suitable to everyone, environmental acceptable and cost-effective. Only such lighting arrangements provide best living condition to all and have development potential. The study results are useful as an innovative approach in spatial design. Clever lighting solutions allow achieving a high level quality at low energetic costs. Lower costs mean effective contribution to economic growth that stimulates urban development.
Keywords
Artificial night light; urban environment; mental picture; illumination evaluation; visual perception
Hrčak ID:
133661
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2014.
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