Review article

PUBLIC LIGHTING IN THE COMMUNICATIVE URBAN CONTEXT

Melita Rozman Cafuta ; Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia

Abstract

The article explores holistic approach of understanding the importance of lighted urban environment. The city at night is quite different from the city during the daytime. In the evening, attention is focused on the effect of the light; during the daytime it is the support structure that plays a part in determining the public appearance. The requirements for the successful lighting are: visibility of objects that ensure safety and orientation, recognition of traffic situation, the ability to create comfort and well being, limited or shielded light brightness, and suitable color of the light to the surrounding and visible role in social interaction. Considering all demands a city has an attractive and inviting appearance, even after dark. The lighting creates a pleasant atmosphere, but should not dominate. On the other side, even qualitative created artificial light has some negative environment burden usually called light pollution. The article presents some possibilities to achieve the balance between realization of positive lighting aspects and improvement of negative illumination effects.

Keywords

Artificial lighting; urban zone; public areas; illumination effects; users’ demands

Hrčak ID:

55848

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/55848

Publication date:

30.6.2010.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 2.055 *