Lighting design for ecosystems
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Project Description
It is necessary to improve biodiversity conservation and nature-based solutions even thought lighting design.
Ecological light pollution alters natural light regimes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and it has to be solved and prevented in city plannings. In these times of pandemic it is necessary to remember the importance of a balanced ecosystem, scientists have found that the decrese of darkness can also increase disease transmittion in different spieces of animal. We need to act now.
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Description of the project
Summary
The aim of this project is to minimise the impact of light pollution through a high quality lighting design. Taking the fundamentals on circadian ecosystem’s requirements and human needs, we are going to make a step forward on protecting our environment.
Lighting pollution can generate long-term stress on ecosystems, from animals to plants, to human beings. In the past century, the extent and intensity of artificial night lighting has increased such that it has substantial effects on the biology and ecology of wildlife. Some lighting practitioners are already aware of the astronomical light pollution, which obscures the view of the night sky. Unluckily it is not often considered the ecological light pollution, which alters natural light regimes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
The project wants to demonstrate that there are solutions on how biodiversity conservation can be respected through a conscious, inclusive and aesthetic lighting planning of cities. Combining technical lighting knowledge and scientific research we can avoid, as much as possible, all forms of lighting pollution.
The lighting design process needs to determine how urban spaces are lived by humans, animals and plants. According to each need we have to consider how areas have to be illuminated, determine the amount of light, the lighting hierarchy and the lighting control methodology.
Every city would have different lighting design approach based on geographical location, type of biodiversity, amount of green areas in the city, surroundings and amount of daylight throughout the year.
With this design the entire ecosystem would be taken in consideration and we would achieve a nocturnal natural balance even in the middle of the most busy city.
Key objectives for sustainability
Some of the catastrophic consequences of artificial light at night are well known, such as the deaths of migratory birds around tall lighted structures, and those of hatchling sea turtles disoriented by lights on their natal beaches. Scientists have also found that disappearing darkness can even increase disease transmission in birds and then possibly affect humans.
With this lighting design process we take in consideration all the aspect of sustainability, not only for human beings but for all living creatures.
Sustainability starting from: the right amount of light only where and when needed; the selection of luminaires with long life and replaceable sources; environmentally responsible luminaire manufactures (possibly local); animal friendly colour temperatures; motion sensors for human safety during the night while helping flora and fauna to rest. Crucial is also choosing and designing fixtures that avoid light trespass, glare and sky spill.
We need of course to take in consideration that every animal and plant reacts in a different way to a variety of light frequency. For this reason we need to take in consideration the biodiversity in every habitat in order to adjust to the right wavelength.
This is a 360° eco-conscious approach for respecting the circadian rhythm (day/night cycle) of every living being.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Aesthetic is emotions and light carries them in its concept. A balanced lighting design creates peace and harmony, while a glaring light can arouse bad feelings and disturbing sensations.
This project has the purpose of directing specific artificial light only where needed. This implies having somber cities (while still safe), warm lighting colours for cosy environments, less glare and better vision of the surrounding. Green areas are going to be enhanced and protected, cities can enjoy the beauty of a flourishing nature.
Aesthetics of the lighting includes also a selection of the source housings which should always adapt to the architecture of the surrounding, taking in consideration the need of specific ecological parameter. Uniform lit surfaces are aesthetically pleasing but also useful for human night vision.
Balance in the lighting planning is necessary for concept's aesthetic and for functional purposes:
a good ratio of luminance;
uniformity in colour temperature;
harmonic arrangement of lighting fixtures;
avoiding too high lighting levels;
having the right amount of fixture;
Aesthetic is the basic for a pure balanced design that aims to restore nature, let plants breath and animals sleep during the night.
Key objectives for inclusion
With this eco-conscious lighting approach, humans and biodiversity can finally coexist, grow and prosper together. Cities will be included in nature and vice verse. Animals will repopulate some areas and re-balance the ecosystem with us and our help.
Less lighting pollution gives us the chance to rediscover starry skies in the middle of the city and be connected with a natural beauty we almost forgot.
The whole city's community should be actively engaged in helping biodiversity through lighting. This can easily be done in concert with other future-oriented activities such as resource and energy efficiency or climate change mitigation to create an all encompassing sustainable management plan.
The aim would be helping cities and communities to adopt and implement integrated strategic plans for sustainable lighting development; promoting education and awareness on ecological light pollution-related issues in order to guide city councils through the process of finding the right measures, policies and strategies to tackle environmental challenges.
Innovative character
Some lighting practitioners are already aware of the astronomical light pollution. Unluckily it is not considered the ecological light pollution, which alters natural light regimes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. During recent years, both types of light pollution have been investigated via scientific research to broaden the understanding of the impact of night-time lighting applications on humans and nature.
My innovative concept would be planning the urban lighting design avoiding both kind of lighting pollution, in order to integrate nature wellbeing into our city's necessities. Human being needs artificial light but we have also to consider animals and plants needs while keeping every part safe.
Based on the local biodiversity around and in the city, there would be a specific lighting planning with specific spectrums, lenses, intensity, shielding systems and sensors. This would imply safety for humans during the night while balancing with the darker necessity of the rest of the ecosystem.
With this planning we would avoid high animal mortality (insects, nocturnal birds etc..) , we would implement flora's night recovery, we would achieve the best circadian rhythm for all the living creatures (on land and in water) and we would have a way more integrated natural environment in our cities. Improving the local microclimates and quality of life of different species, the ecosystem would slowly recover from some human's disruptive interventions. I would consider it as a preventing and healing lighting design approach.
