As we approach the 10th anniversary of Arup’s publication Cities Alive: Rethinking the Shades of Night, I've been reflecting on how cities are evolving their approach to night time lighting.
Recently, I had the pleasure to visit the newly developed Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong—formerly the historic Kai Tak Airport—and was struck by the transformation of the city's nightscape over the past decade.
Hong Kong, often referred to as the Pearl of the Orient, is famous for its dazzling nightlife and iconic skyline. The neon signs and illuminated billboards that adorned buildings and streets epitomised the city's vibrant culture and economic prowess. However, these bright lights came at a cost. Light pollution became a pressing issue, impacting the well-being of residents and the natural rhythms of nocturnal wildlife. The incessant glow from neon signs and towering skyscrapers masked the stars, creating an ever-present artificial twilight.
- Since mid-2010s, the term light pollution has become part of the public lexicon. The government, alongside private entities, began exploring ways to mitigate its effects. HKU Light Pollution Research |
- A shift towards "lighting with purpose, less is more", acknowledges that although lighting is vital for safety and night time economy, its application should be thoughtful and measured.
- The resurgence of green spaces in urban planning have enhanced the city’s outdoor spaces and provided serene pockets of darkness amidst the urban glow.
Looking ahead, with LED, smart controls, and AI as technological solutions, what questions should we be asking?
- How can cities adopt a research led and evidence based approach in reshaping their nightscapes to balance human needs with ecological sensitivity? Night time design - Arup
- Could adaptive lighting that responds to real-time data and environmental conditions become standard practice?
- Imagine a city where lights dim with reduced foot traffic or adjust to social activities and time of day, safeguarding biodiversity. Achieving this vision requires systems thinking, integrating technology, human behaviour, and environmental impact. How can this dynamic narrative be explored, defined, and embraced?
Join us at Illuminating the Future: Balancing Light and Dark Nightscapes, and engage in discussions on night time lighting research and practice, with experts from diverse fields such as environmental science, urban planning, criminology, and social psychology. I'll be hosting a debate on the intricate dynamics of urban environments after dark.