Ljusföroreningar i stadsmiljö
Hur kan ljusföroreningar förebyggas vid nybyggnation?
Light pollution in urban areas - How to prevent light pollution at construction Jakob Sjöling Light pollution is a relatively new but rapidly growing form of pollution. Society's increasing demand for light coupled with the pace at which lighting technology evolves is accelerating that growth. The purpose of this study was to analyse how the construction industry plan and design outdoor lighting when erecting new buildings, specifically with regards to the issue of light pollution. It also investigated how local authorities work with these issues during urban planning. In both cases special interest was placed in ways to improve the planning and use of outdoor lighting in order to minimize light pollution. To this end a series of interviews were held with people in the construction industry who are involved in the planning of lighting. Interviews were also held with local officials who manages issues of lighting and the environment within the municipality of Kungsbacka, Sweden. The interviews showed that people who work with these issues were well aware that poorly planned lighting can cause glare and disturbances. They were, however, almost totally unaware of the severe danger that light at night poses to both human health and environmental stability. To remedy this, information about the risks posed by night-time lighting must be spread from the scientific community to entrepreneurs and local officials who work with lighting. There are also several areas where changes in routines can help to avoid many of the potential pitfalls threatening to cause an, otherwise good, lighting plan to fail in regards to light pollution.