The effect lighting of the buildings in the city has provided a lot of discussion material in the past few weeks. The Greens have repeatedly campaigned for a reduction in the duration of the lighting, but in the April municipal council there was no majority for a “Plan Lumière” based on the Zurich model.
As it became known today, however, there is now a restriction on decorative lighting. This was recently announced by Mayor Klaus Luger (SP) and Deputy Mayor Martin Hajart (VP), who is responsible for lighting. 31 buildings in the city are affected by this measure, including the old town hall, the new railway bridge and the new cathedral.
In practice, this decision now means that the lighting will be activated as usual when dusk sets in, but in future it will always be switched off at 11 p.m. The lighting phases in the morning hours (between five and eight o’clock) are a thing of the past.
No lighting in the morning hours
“The lighting of striking buildings basically has an important tourist effect. And who wants to walk through a completely dark city at a later hour. However, the current situation makes it necessary for us as a city to set a good example and send an important signal to save energy,” says Hajart (VP). He also appeals to the population to pay attention to economical consumption.
Luger has also called on the group of companies to benefit from additional energy saving effects. According to his approach, these should go beyond the reduction of decorative lighting. Keyword entire lighting system. keyword heating. The city’s crisis team has also been instructed to draw up any emergency plans.
Checking of street and park lighting
With a view to winter, it is also being examined which measures can be implemented for street and park lighting. “Safety has absolute priority, both in the transport sector and in terms of crime prevention. But we want to be prepared in the event of a crisis,” was the tenor of the politicians.
The reduction of the decorative lighting should now – according to the technical conditions – take place continuously. The Greens welcome the fact that their initiative has now been heard. “I am pleased about this initiative and thank you that the city is now taking action here,” says councilor Rossitza Ekova-Stoyanova.
Source: Nachrichten
