Light pollution: Linz is looking for ways to create “sensible lighting”

Yes, it increases the subjective feeling of security when it is light in the city even at night. But the question that arises is how bright this artificial light really needs to be.

The city of Linz is currently surveying the current situation using helicopter flights and wants to obtain information from a bird’s eye view in order to be able to derive options for “good and sensible lighting” relatively quickly on the ground, as Environment Councilor Eva Schobesberger (Greens) put it yesterday. Light pollution not only affects plants, animals and people in the central area, it is also a major waste of energy.

Buildings in sight

“It is by no means a matter of turning off the lights in Linz,” said doctor and astrophotographer Dietmar Hager. However, based on the study data so far, he sees a lot of scope for action in the city. “If the artificial light radiates upwards and to the sides, then that is wasted energy.” And light at night can make people significantly sick.

With this in mind, the city administration also wants to take a closer look at the lighting in buildings. The trend of so-called “city beautyfication” aims to use light to highlight specific buildings or facilities. “But you don’t have to do this all night,” said city project manager Alfred Moser. Just by changing the direction of the lighting, a lot of energy and the impact on people’s health could be reduced.

The magic word is “soft lighting”, and city planning director Hans-Martin Neumann sees a lot of understanding among experts from discussions here. “It will be about creating awareness of the issue of light pollution and starting with the builders.” The aim must be to help plan the lighting concept for large projects.

Those responsible in large industry also see the idea of ​​saving as a good argument for using light at night more carefully and therefore more sustainably. The pictures from above would also show: the more buildings and sealed areas are illuminated, the more light pollution there is.

“Healthier” use of nighttime lighting

However, awareness must also be raised among each individual, because everyone can make their contribution to reducing light pollution. City Councilor Schobesberger hopes for political unity in the city government regarding the more efficient and therefore “healthier” use of nighttime lighting in the city. The current status survey, which is currently ongoing, will be “systematically put on the table”, will be discussed and then lead to measures. Financial resources are earmarked for this in the budget for 2024.

There is a lot of hope in the country’s planned amendment to the law this year to combat light pollution.

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