"Day for Night": The role of artificial lighting in returning people to urban public spaces

ABSTRACT: In many cultures the word “night”, as it bears a meaning of “darkness” has been used negatively. All through the history the fear of mankind from darkness, as the world of unknown treats, still exists in the memory of the city dwellers. This study is concerned with the evolution of lighting design in public spaces. Although some researchers have devoted attention to outdoor lighting, they have devoted little attention to lighting as an urban design parameter. The purpose of this research is to understand how planning, developing and revitalizing of appropriate lighting design for urban space supports bringing people back to the public spaces of the city. Literature review revealed that for bringing back people to the city, not only a comprehensive lighting design, but also various factors to ensure the durability of public use has to be considered. Current dissertation pointed out; in order to be able to attract people to urban public spaces, set of rules and guidelines has to be applied to the lighting of public spaces which calls Lighting Master Plan. 13 factors divided into 3 categories have been suggested as the framework for evaluating lighting condition of a city or a region within the city. In conclusion, lighting conditions of the case study (Walled-City in Famagusta) have been evaluated, considering mentioned factors and solutions, and suggested for enhancement of public lighting in this region. Keywords: Public space, Lighting design, Lighting Master Plan. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………