Title: Distribution of light and atmosphere in an urban environment

Authors: Ulrika Wänström Lindh

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering and Lighting Science, School of Engineering, Jönköping University, P.O. Box 1026, SE-551 11 Jönköping, Sweden

Abstract: The relationship between distribution of light and spatial experience was studied using a temporary lighting installation in a real-life urban environment. A questionnaire, interviews and focus discussions collected the experiences of the illuminated space from 222 people. The following assumptions were confirmed: a clearly defined space created by illuminating walls and trees and visual limits contributed to a feeling of safety in the space because these limits helped establish an overall view of this space. A lower luminaire placement in the street contributed more to a feeling of safety than a higher luminaire placement because the light was closer to the person, highlighted the facades and made the space appear lower. The light topography, e.g., the luminaire height, is discussed in relation to power and spatial hierarchies.

Keywords: light distribution; atmosphere; urban safety; enclosures; lighting design; illumination; urban environment; spatial experience; visual observation; light topography; power hierarchies; spatial hierarchies; visible spatial boundaries; luminaire height.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2013.055138

Journal of Design Research, 2013 Vol.11 No.2, pp.126 - 147

Received: 29 May 2012
Accepted: 17 Dec 2012

Published online: 28 Jun 2014 *

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