LUCI Cities & Lighting Awards

 

SHORTLISTED ENTRIES

LUCI celebrates cities that have driven projects with the aim to improve sustainability and quality of life through urban lighting. Find out more about the shortlisted entries of the LUCI Cities & Lighting Awards 2024!

Appearance of the projects is from A to Z

Bologna (Italy)

Population size: 389 850

New light for the Arcades, Gates, and Historic Centre of Bologna

The project focuses on the revitalization of urban and monumental lighting in the heart of Bologna, encompassing 16 km of arcades, 10 gates, 2 main squares, and 40 other monumental sites. More than 3,500 lighting fixtures were replaced, and 680 new lighting points were installed.

The intervention highlights the uniqueness of the UNESCO-protected ensemble of arcades which cover a total stretch of 62 km, reflecting urban and social functions and creating a sheltered landscape to walk day and night.

The cornerstone of the design process was a thorough analysis of the context, history, and lived experience of each site. This extensive process was crucial for developing a design that is both attentive and respectful to the historical and cultural context. The arcades involved were meticulously examined, categorizing them based on their history, morphology, architecture, function, and urban role to determine the best design solution for each segment.

© Oscar Ferrari, City of Bologna

Budapest (Hungary)

Population size: 1,8 million

Sustainable harmony of past and future – Rejuvenation of the Chain Bridge

The aim of the project was to establish of a modern capital for Hungary by rejuvenating one of the most well-known iconic symbols of the city; the very first bridge in the city over the Danube River. The bridge has a symbolic value even today: to connect the citizens of Budapest, to be the bridge of the nation.

The reconstruction process was aimed at preserving and renewing a national heritage, bringing back its original shape by renewal of the old historic elements and converting it by the newest top modern technology to an iconic symbol that shows the way to a sustainable future.

City inhabitants supported the decision to only allow the public transports, bicycles, taxi and emergency cars to cross the bridge. A significantly higher number of local people and tourists walk and cycle through the bridge today.

© City of Budapest

Chieti (Italy)

Population size: 48 327

Connected Light for Chieti – towards a sustainable and smart future

Chieti, nestled in the heart of Abruzzo, and the city founded by the legendary Achilles, boasts a captivating historic centre. The Municipality of Chieti initiated in April 2022 the transition to connected LED to reduce the electricity consumption – with a saving of up to 60% compared to previous consumption, mitigate CO2 emissions for a better environmental impact and ensure citizens’ safety through increased and improved street lighting.

Connected Light for Chieti contributes to the improvement of the quality of public lighting provided to citizens in terms of safety and visual comfort and enhances the characteristics of the city centre in its historical and artistic aspects, while reducing light pollution over time. Through smart and data-driven illumination systems, the project ensures the implementation of energy-saving policies and meeting the city’s digitalization and sustainability goals.

© City of Chieti

Eskilstuna (Sweden)

Hamngatan and MDU plaza, Eskilstuna

Located at the edge of the city, the skyglow from this area, prior to this project, affected the natural surroundings since light close to water can reach far. Two traffic lanes dissected the area that accommodated the new university and a large parking lot. The space underwent a transformation into a dynamic plaza, seamlessly integrating urban amenities with natural beauty.

The close collaboration of the design team resulted in innovative catenary lighting at pedestrian crossings and the seamless integration of lighting into landscape design features. The project fosters connectivity and safety, and it prioritizes an ecological approach with measures like full cut-off fixtures and minimal, warm lighting. Overall, this collaborative effort promotes both social and environmental sustainability.

© Erik Hagström, City of Eskilstuna

Frankfurt (Germany)

Population size: 767 609

DomRömer – Rebuilding Frankfurt’s old centre

The DomRömer Quarter is being developed in the heart of Frankfurt and will bring new life to the city’s historic centre. Historical alleyways, romantic squares, picturesque courtyards and grand patricians’ houses: Until its destruction in the Second World War; the structure of the old city of Frankfurt had grown organically over centuries.

The lighting is new but not too modern, inspired by history, but not old-fashioned. It is cosy, high quality, individual and yet homogeneous in its entirety. It is typical Frankfurt, typical old town, typical DomRömer Quarter.

If everyone pulls together and the residents of a city are committed to achieving their hearts’ desire, then something really special can be created. A prime example of this is the DomRömer Quarter with its successful mixture of old and new built on the historical urban layout.

© Norbert Miguletz, City of Frankfurt

Genoa (Italy)

Population size: 566 410

Lighting for Genoa

Lighting for Genoa is a project that has revitalized 10 “non-places” in the historic centre of the city through the skilful use of light, designed to create gathering spaces and make this particular urban area accessible, overcoming issues related to the type of usage, safety, and accessibility. The project worked with light to create a new sense of security for the people who inhabit it, with a particular focus on women, children, the elderly, minorities, and vulnerable groups.

The 10 permanent lighting installations were conceived in collaboration with local associations and residents who live and animate the areas where the project was implemented. Lighting for Genoa can be described as a collaborative project that has succeeded in transforming public spaces, squares, and streets into attractive and safe places even during nighttime.

© Silvia Badalotti, City of Genoa

Gothenburg (Sweden)

Population size: 605 000

Hisingsbron – Arpeggio

The project competition for the replacement of the old Götaälv Bridge from 1939 took place over a few months in 2013. The idea of illuminating the structure was already a part of the competition proposal but was brought to life on the drawing board and developed as the bridge gradually took shape. The competition entry “Arpeggio” won, among other things, with the justification that the bridge with its lighting, possesses significant aesthetic qualities and demonstrates the potential to become a beautiful symbol for the city.

The different tones, subtly changing during the sunset, give the bridge varying appearances depending on the sky’s conditions. The bridge can be observed from many perspectives, aiming to create a delicate enhancement of the city’s nightscape as well as welcoming experience for travellers.

© City of Gothenburg_Hisingsbron

Hebron (Palestine)

Population size: 232 503

Strengthening Resilience of Hebron Community through Enhancing Street Lighting

The project of Ein Arab Street is located on the way to the city centre of Hebron, and Hebron Old Town that is enlisted by the UNESCO as a world heritage site since 2017. The area is home to the historical site of “Ein Arab”, a-two-thousand-year-old natural spring of water and one of the main springs in Hebron.

This project aims to strengthen the resilience of the citizens of Hebron against the bad economic conditions by having a safe street that has a hospital and emergency centre, and shops that are open beyond working hours. The lighting encourages people at night to use the street that leads towards the city centre. Besides, following its sustainable approach, the project aims at decreasing the carbon emissions of street lighting and saving energy by installing LED lighting units, a crucial step seen the electricity crisis in Hebron.

© HEPCo, City of Hebron

Helsinki (Finland)

Population size: 664 028

Helsinki Senate Square

The Senate Square is the most valuable urban space in the Helsinki surrounded by main institutional buildings: the Government Palace, the University main building, the Cathedral and a row old merchant houses. These buildings around the Square create an architecturally unique empire-style entity.

Today, the Senate Square is one of the main tourist attractions of Helsinki. Various art events, ranging from concerts, Christmas markets, ice sculptures to controversial snowboarding activities, have been set up on the Square.

The ambitious goal of the project was to illuminate the surrounding architecture with a lighting level that supports the aesthetically painterly and photographic entity. The cityscape needed to look well balanced at dusk and in dark. In few words: the lighting aimed to be elegantly reserved, gentle, sophisticated, and peaceful.

© City of Hlesinki, Senate Square

Hengelo (Netherlands)

Population size: 82 300

Next Level Lighting Hengelo

The city centre of Hengelo needed a big change. In order to turn the city into a vibrant, vital and future-proof city, drastic measures needed to be taken. In other words; the city centre required a prominent development. A part of this development project is lighting. Hengelo wanted the city centre of to be an experience at every minute of the day, which meant also at night.

By gathering information and conducting interviews with entrepreneurs, visitors, and residents, as well as testing RGBW experiential lighting, the municipality has developed a vision: Next Level Lighting. This means departing from white light and adopting smart RGBW lighting with DMX control. For everyday situations, light scenarios have been established based on the activity in the square, seeking a balance between human needs and the planet’s general welfare.

© City of Hengelo

Irapuato (Mexico)

Population size:  592 953

Scenic City – City of Light

The stage lighting strategy in the city of Irapuato in Mexico is coordinated based on commemorative dates represented by specific colours. Therefore, the installations were programmed according to the assigned colour, and participate in illuminating the main urban landmarks, with the intention of promoting sociocultural values and identity among citizens.

Selected urban landmarks create unique and representative visual experiences of our city for the enjoyment of the citizens and their insertion into the urban imagination, enriching the psychological, social, cultural and symbolic representations of the collective. It is a project with a permanent presence, free and accessible to the public, for their coexistence and enjoyment.

© García, A; © Vázquez, D; © Ayala; City of Irapuato

Istanbul (Türkiye)

Population size:  16 million

The most beautiful project is nature! Atatürk Urban Forest

The Atatürk Urban Forest has a total area of 1,077,767 square meters and holds significant value due to its largely preserved natural ecosystem, encompassing a variety of plant and animal species. It is particularly important for ecological reasons, especially regarding bird species. Therefore, the goal of this project, initiated with the slogan “The most beautiful project is nature!”, is to meet the recreational needs of the people of Istanbul while preserving the natural environment.

With the remote controllable LED lighting system used in the design, the park is economically and ecologically sustainable, simple in terms of maintenance and operation, and socially vibrant.

© City of Istanbul_Ataturk Urban Forest

Jette (Belgium)

Population size: 53 704

Bat Light District

The project Bat Light District is located in a peculiar neighbourhood of Jette where several spacious green areas are disseminated, while being classified under Natura 2000 directive. These green areas are constituting small biodiversity reservoirs which are nevertheless enclosed within the urban network and are subjected to diverse environmental pressures such as noises, air pollution, human activities and lighting.

The project started as a collaboration between several local stakeholders with diverse competences and consisted in revising the whole neighbourhood’s lighting masterplan with a focus on the light points located near the above-mentioned green infrastructures.

The first objective of the project was to test different lighting solutions and colours claimed to be “bat-friendly”. The second objective of the project was to strengthen the collaboration between interested stakeholders and to set up new protocols and methodologies.

© Municipality of Jette

Lausanne (Switzerland)

Population size:  137 810

The stairs of the Chauderon bridge

Built in 1920, the stairs of the Pont Chauderon in Lausanne form a historical vertical liaison that is very important in Lausanne’s urban fabric. For many years, they have been left in disuse with no maintenance, letting this place to sink into a no-go zone with a real sanitary problem.

The new lighting was integrated into a global reflection of the renovation of these stairs and their enhancement with an artistic fresco project.

The stairs are connecting two important roads that are frequently used but situated on two different heights. Lausanne’s lighting plan pointed out the need to enhance the city’s identity, and particularly its complex morphology. The stairs of the Chauderon bridge is one of the 4 pilot projects of this lighting plan that aims to highlight the vertical liaisons of the city, raising the question of improving the pedestrians’ movements considering the city’s landform.

This vertical path is made of movement and pause, offering a balcony overlooking the city.

© Lumière Electrique, Léonie Bontronc, City of Lausanne, Chauderon

Los Angeles (USA)

Population size:  3 959 657

City of Los Angeles Solar Lighting

The project, initiated by the City of Los Angeles, consists of 106 solar lights and is part of the feasibility assessment for integrating solar-powered lighting into the existing street lighting infrastructure.

The primary objectives of this project were multi-facetted. Firstly, it aimed to address any open maintenance request in the area; to help alleviate the backlog of unresolved incidents; and to improve service delivery to residents. Additionally, the project strives to enhance the sustainability and resilience of street lighting infrastructure in the area. By using solar technology, vulnerabilities such as vandalism and traditional electrical grid failures were mitigated, while local generation of energy storage offered increased reliability.

© City of Los Angeles 2024, BSL

Oulu (Finland)

Population size:  210 000

HALI Traffic light control system for emergency vehicles with automated smart lighting control system

The city’s emergency vehicle traffic light control system, in use in the city for more than a decade, has been awarded and it has received recognition for its innovative functionality: streetlights are brightened when an emergency vehicle arrives.

Oulu’s objective was to further improve the security and visibility of the intersections, especially for pedestrians as the area had experienced a severe accident earlier. Due to this new project, the emergency vehicle traffic light control system is now integrated with a smart lighting control system with multi-sensor technology. The previous LED road luminaires were replaced with new LED luminaires. The solution is installed at several intersections at the city centre on a 400-meter-long section.

© Signify_City of Oulu

Rheine (Germany)

Population size: 81 000

Rheine – Illumination of the Historic City Core

The market square in Rheine, once a vibrant centre of town, faced the threat of fading into obscurity due to vacancies and lack of appeal to tourists and locals alike.

To address this issue, a comprehensive lighting design was implemented to showcase the square’s architectural beauty while creating a cohesive atmosphere. Warm lighting highlighted the unique features of each facade, while cooler lighting provided general illumination, breathing new life into the space.

The end result of these efforts is a harmonious interplay of light, architecture, and history that revitalizes Rheine’s market square, making it an attractive destination for both locals and tourists. The square has regained its status as a central hub for social life and cultural activities, ensuring its continued significance in the community.

© Henning Stauch, City of Rheine, StudioDL, Marktplatz

Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (France)

Population size:  228 312

Rose petals

The project site lays in the heart of a vast urban park at the core of the agglomeration community of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines – 2nd economic centre of western Paris -, a business district with a high concentration of office buildings and mixed housing, university campuses, and an abundance of green spaces.

Directly attached to a regional train station and open all night, the park becomes the particularly fragile transition at night-time between the urban and economic centre, and a vast green space.  Although the neighbourhood is young, dynamic, active and diversified, the threat of a loss of attractiveness remains.

Developing a poetic scenography in strategic places goes beyond illumination, creates an experience that meets the expectations of the user – visual comfort, a feeling of security, but which surprises, activating our imagination – an invitation to danse? – and contributing to an attractive night-time image of the community.

© Christian Lauté; ©Dumas Lumière; © City of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, CASQY

Spoleto (Italy)

Population size: 36 546

New light on Spoleto’s cultural attraction

Spearheaded by the Municipality of Spoleto, the initiative aimed to highlight the architectural and stylistic elements that establish the city as a cultural destination, attracting tourists from around the globe. The project concerns the new lighting for the city’s iconic landmarks: Piazza Duomo, the Roman Arch, the Church of SS Giovanni and Paolo, the Modern Art Museum, and the famous sculptures from the 5th Festival dei Due Mondi in 1962, situated in the city’s historic centre.

Analysing each location, artwork, and site was crucial to pinpoint the correct lighting cuts and colour temperatures that best highlight the materials, spaces, architectural designs, and the sculptures, thus, optimally highlighting the city’s esteemed cultural heritage.

The implemented lighting scheme establishes an urban illumination path to enjoy the city’s art and historical centre in their full splendour.

© Oscar Ferrari, City of Spoleto

The Hague (Netherlands)

Population size: 515 327

Museumkwartier Den Haag

The project Museumkwartier Den Haag forms a crucial component of an overarching vision for the city centre, with a specific emphasis on revitalizing the museum district. Historically, this district lacked the vibrancy expected of a cultural hub, evidenced by low visitor numbers. Responding to this challenge, the Department of Economy spearheaded efforts to bolster the district’s appeal, opting for a unique approach in collaboration with Urban Planning.

The decision was made to harness the power of lighting. For the museum district, the theme of light got introduced, because light can enhance the urban experience.

The resulting nighttime vision for the area integrates insights from various policy documents and agendas, such as the city council agreement ‘Together for the City’ and the ‘Economic Vision Den Haag 2030’. It aligns with the Tourism Strategy 2020-2025 and the lighting masterplan called ‘Vision on Light’.

© Robert Koelewijn, City of The Hague

Vilnius (Lithuania)

Population size: 541 505

Vilnius City Lighting Standard

In urban planning, lighting design plays a pivotal role in shaping the safety, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of cities. To prioritize pedestrian well-being and foster a sustainable urban environment, comprehensive lighting design standards have been established for the City of Vilnius.

The guidebook outlines a range of principles essential for effective lighting design, including illuminating pedestrian pathways, balancing architectural lighting, and minimizing light pollution. Key considerations also include warm spectrum lighting and strategic placement of illuminated features to enhance the urban landscape.

The key aspect of the strategy involves seamlessly integrating lighting into the Vilnius’ infrastructure and architecture. This encompasses careful consideration of lighting intensity and placement on facades, as well as the thoughtful illumination of advertisements and festive installations to maintain the urban identity.

© City of Vilnius

Vilnius (Lithuania)

Population size: 541 505

Modernisation of the city’s street lighting system

The City of Vilnius uses several lighting technologies, from floodlighting of buildings to street lighting with functional luminaires. The project “Modernisation of the city’s street lighting system” includes the installation of functional low-emission and cost-effective LED luminaires. The project will support a 4-year investment programme to modernise the city street lighting network.

The project includes investments to replace inefficient lamps by LED lamps, the replacement of old electrical cabinets and other ancillary infrastructure and the installation of a modern street lighting management and control system.

The project will reduce the cost of the street lighting infrastructure, and electricity consumption, increase traffic safety, improve crime prevention during the dark hours of the day and create a safer and more pleasant city, thus improving the quality of life of the Municipality’s residents and visitors.

© Saulius Ziura, City of Vilnius

Zutphen (Netherlands)

Population size:  48 000

Zutphen IJsselkade

The lighting for the landscape redevelopment project “Zutphen IJsselkade” is based on the Zutphen’s lighting master plan. Both the master plan and the lighting project for the quay were developed in an interactive process involving entrepreneurs, officials, and citizens.

The ultimate goal is to create an inviting atmosphere for residents and visitors, based on the motto “Naturally, light!”. The masterplan takes into account the city’s characteristic architecture and aims for a harmonious integration of light, using light as an unobtrusive element. The masterplan focuses on organizing urban space and emphasizing the city’s identity through carefully designed lighting, without disturbing the city’s natural beauty. For the quay, this means a clear connection to the city centre as well as to the darkness of the river and its floodplains on the opposite side.

The redesign has not only enhanced the physical environment but has also had a positive impact on the well-being and experience of the residents and visitors.

© Jolanda van Velzen, City of Zutphen