Co-designing safe and sustainable darkness for northern urban places

Abstract

The technological development, quantitative increase and qualitative design of urban lighting have succeeded in improving the safety and comfort of urban spaces. In this context, dark and dimly lit places appear as undesirable, even dangerous. However, the disadvantages of overlighting are increasingly being identified. On the other hand, darkness has well-being effects and aesthetic values in urban environments. The Safe and Sustainable Darkness project studies the frameworks for dimmer urban lighting: how to find room for lower lighting levels and darker places, respecting the diverse use of spaces and the values and experiences of city residents. In the article, we present participatory process for design and implementation of safe and sustainable urban darkness. The expertise and understanding of two different groups is of interest. Interviews of various professionals in the city organization reveal how illuminated and un-illuminated places are perceived from an administrative perspective. Inhabitants and users of urban space share their insight of the meanings, potential and context of the existing and future dark places. By combining the research material from interviews, crowdsourcing, workshops and evaluated pilot installation, we propose a co-design methodology to create enjoyable dimly lit and un-illuminated urban spaces.