Advantages of LED Street Lighting:
How LED street lighting could improve lighting quality:
Reference: Kimber,A., Roberts,J., Logan,J., Lambert,M., n.a. LED Street Lighting: A Handbook for Small Communities [pdf] Available at: http://archive.iamu.org/services/electric/efficiency/Street%20Lighting/StreetLightingHandbook.pdf [Accessed 16 January 2017]
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In many public spaces, lighting is used inappropriately to create a sense of safety even though excessive use of light is not needed to evoke public security. Fact is that " too much lighting can be just as bad as too little lighting". It not only creates light trespass but at the same time makes use of unnecessary energy and can also be an eye sore. The article presents valid points on how lighting should be design according to how the space is going to be used and not only take into account safety but various other factors to create the appropriate atmosphere. This is stated by an article from Project for public spaces. I focused a lot on articles published by Philips Lighting since they are one of the world's leading lighting design companies and have been an inspiration for me for quite some time now. According to philips, nowadays public lighting is being used for aesthetics whereas for many years it's main purpose was to guide drivers. There was a shift where designers started to take the needs of pedestrians seriously, so lighting's function was not only to guide veachels, but to also guide pedestrians and cyclists whilst at the same time keeping an engaging space as seen in the image below. This shift helps in reducing Co2 emissions and at the same save more energy. References
Project for Public Spaces, (2009). Lighting Use & Design - Project for Public Spaces. [online] . Available at: https://www.pps.org/reference/streetlights/ [Accessed 14 Jan. 2017]. http://images.philips.com/is/content/PhilipsConsumer/eBooks/LightingUniversity/LU20150211_001-ECT-global-Light_For_Public_Space.pdf Interviews are intended to collect in depth qualitative data from the chosen interviewee. Face to face interviews would be beneficial to gather vital information from different individuals. Standardised open ended questions would be the most appropriate since I would be interviewing different professionals each with different questions. Interviewees include; members from Mepa, the local council, lighting designers, architects and engineers. Following various steps which were mentioned in class, a setting should be chosen where the participants could least be distracted.
When meeting up with the selected individuals a background of the study and main purpose should be given for them to have an idea of why you are conducting the survey. Recording the data is also and important step since it is hard to remember the entire conversation. This can be done by either note taking or with the permission of the person being interviewed, recording the session. Focus groups can reveal detailed information and insight on the chosen topic. When well executed, a focus group creates an accepting environment that puts participants at ease allowing then to thoughtfully answer questions in their own words and add meaning to their answers. Surveys can still gather relevant information needed (another research method that shall be used for this thesis) , however a focus group could get a better understanding of things at a deeper level.
Points on what is a focus group and how to execute it properly:
On Site observation is one of the most effective research method tools to personally analyse the chosen site and elements surrounding it. They are very crucial as it enables anybody to understand the current phenomena, any influential variables or other basic interrelations. Different observation helps in providing both expected and unexpected situations. Since I have already chosen a site for my project I can easily visit and observe at different times of the day during different months (weather conditions). If it is possible to acquire a plan of the area it would be beneficial to pin point specific problem areas. Since I pass by the square quite often, I took the opportunity too take a few pictures of some of the light installations along the road at night. Light trespass is clearly evident in some areas while at the same time other areas are under lit creating an unpleasant atmosphere. Another important thing to mention is that many people prefer to pass from the pavement found on the left hand side of the square rather than the right. I believe the current lighting does not encourage the public to make use of the entire space however a more detailed study should take place. These points were taken while just passing by the area so there would be a more detailed analysis when the proper observation takes place. According to ANYA PASKOVIC, for a space to be fully functional during later hours of the day, artificial lighting must be included. This not only creates a sense of safety but at the same time highlight architectural facades and create a new space that could be enjoyed during the night as well as during the day. She also states how not alot of cities have had such an interest in lighting design, in relation to the overall space which was the main purpose for my choice of title. Due to this, designers are later requested to re-design the existing lighting systmes for more efficient and aesthetically pleasing ones. Paskovic mentions how lighting cannot be designed appropriatley if the existing space and existing lighting is taken forgranted. My first idea was to re-design the lighting fixtured for the Nadur square, however I later decided to incorporate roads and smaller areas leading up to it to create one unified space. Key points for a sucessfull lighting plan: 1. Evaluate existing urban lighting and identify opportunities for additional illumination: By taking into account existing lighting installations rather than designing in isolation, the designer would avoid the overexposure of light in certain areas that would cause different kind lighting to clash together if not planned properly. 2. Take advantage of tested concepts and technologies: As the years go buy, new technology is being introduced, so lighting designers should take advantage of this and use these technologies that have been already tested within their new design. Paskovic mentions intelligent lighting fixtures, that were at the time being tested in Melbourne, which allowed lights in public spaces to be switched off, on or also dimmed. This kind of lighting technology has spread world wide and today most cities make use of it. By conducting enough research and making use of existing technologies, the designers would then have a guide and follow it rather than having to create a new system himself. In return this saves money and time. 3. Investigate performance-based standards for street lighting: Over lit areas can cause people to not walk along that area and can also affect how one drives along the lit roads. Paskovic suggests that 'Performance Based Zoning' could help with regulating these effects. This idea is also commonly being used today, where busier roads have increased illumination when compared to local roads which unconsciously helps with road safety. I would like to take this idea into consideration when planning out the proposed lighting system for my project since the area is busy with both pedestrians and drivers. 4. Develop a lighting master plan: A lighting master plan forms part of the early stages during the project. The designer could get a better understanding of the area through analysing, diagnosis and creating a proposal. It also combined aesthetics with function to enhance the user's experience during dark hours. Lastly, a master plan would provide organised data and analysis of that area which could be useful for future projects. For smaller projects/ small geographical areas such as a square it is simply called a Lighting Plan but more or less follows the same steps. Refrences
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Dissertation TitleThe Beautification of the Nadur Historical Centre by means of holistic lighting design Archives
April 2017
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