The nocturnal visual environment: energy efficiency, comfort and visual acuity in urban illumination

Authors

  • Aloísio Leoni Schmid
  • Helena Conelian Gentili
  • Gabriel Gallarza Rossi
  • Alexandre Valles
  • Renato Dombrowski

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/dma.v11i0.7818

Keywords:

ambiente urbano, eficiência energética, iluminação pública, urban environment, energy efficiency, street lighting

Abstract

The urban environment differs from natural ecosystems in a notable way by the criterion of density of energy consumption. A strong expression of this artificial environment is lighting during nightime. In order to allow the identification and evaluation of some involved values, a case study is presented on socalled
decorative external lighting in the city of Curitiba, more specifically in its pedestrian zone along the XV de Novembro street. An assessment of energy efficient shows a poor performance. Impairment of comfort and functionality are not evident, but can be suggested. The need for an intervention to be analyzed according to multiple criteria, as observed in several issues in the urban environment, is shown to apply to the lighting problem as well. As a result, recently observed trends of an historicism in street lighting design in Curitiba and in several other Brazilian cities is critically commented.

Published

2005-12-30

How to Cite

Schmid, A. L., Gentili, H. C., Rossi, G. G., Valles, A., & Dombrowski, R. (2005). The nocturnal visual environment: energy efficiency, comfort and visual acuity in urban illumination. Desenvolvimento E Meio Ambiente, 11. https://doi.org/10.5380/dma.v11i0.7818

Issue

Section

Ecossistemas e Sustentabilidade: Perspectivas Históricas e Socioeconômicas