User behaviour in public squares after dark
Hennig, V. K.R. LU ; Gentile, N. LU ; Fotios, Steve ; Sternudd, C. LU and Johansson, Maria LU
(2023)
In Lighting Research and Technology
55(7-8).
p.621-642
- Abstract
This research concerns the influence of electric lighting on user behaviour in public squares and whether differences in people’s use of the square can be observed between daylight and darkness. Previous research on pedestrians suggests that lighting can support human needs for reassurance, accessibility, comfort and pleasure. While these findings are also likely to be applicable to the use of public squares, there is little empirical evidence to verify that. A field study was conducted to explore user behaviour in two differently illuminated public squares. Observations of the movements and stationary activities of people in the squares were recorded at both squares for the same times of day in the weeks before and after the daylight... (More)
This research concerns the influence of electric lighting on user behaviour in public squares and whether differences in people’s use of the square can be observed between daylight and darkness. Previous research on pedestrians suggests that lighting can support human needs for reassurance, accessibility, comfort and pleasure. While these findings are also likely to be applicable to the use of public squares, there is little empirical evidence to verify that. A field study was conducted to explore user behaviour in two differently illuminated public squares. Observations of the movements and stationary activities of people in the squares were recorded at both squares for the same times of day in the weeks before and after the daylight savings clock change, enabling a comparison of activity in daylight and after dark. 5296 observations were recorded and lighting conditions were captured with HDR-photography and aerial photos. Kirseberg square, with asymmetric luminaires and metal halide lamps, revealed a decrease in stationary activity after dark. Lindeborg square, with omnidirectional luminaires and high-pressure sodium lamps, revealed an increase in stationary activity. In conclusion, the patterns of user behaviour in the two public squares after dark seem to be differently influenced by electric lighting, pointing to a need for further understanding of users’ experience of the squares after dark.
(Less)
- author
- Hennig, V. K.R.
LU
; Gentile, N.
LU
; Fotios, Steve
; Sternudd, C.
LU
and Johansson, Maria
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2023
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Lighting Research and Technology
- volume
- 55
- issue
- 7-8
- pages
- 621 - 642
- publisher
- SAGE Publications
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85174522315
- ISSN
- 1477-1535
- DOI
- 10.1177/14771535231200390
- project
- Belysning för offentlig utomhusmiljö i områdescentra - energieffektivitet och social samhörighet
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers 2023.
- id
- cc6dd31a-cda6-47c7-8b8d-503c90cccaba
- date added to LUP
- 2023-11-03 11:18:03
- date last changed
- 2024-02-14 14:49:55
@article{cc6dd31a-cda6-47c7-8b8d-503c90cccaba,
abstract = {{<p>This research concerns the influence of electric lighting on user behaviour in public squares and whether differences in people’s use of the square can be observed between daylight and darkness. Previous research on pedestrians suggests that lighting can support human needs for reassurance, accessibility, comfort and pleasure. While these findings are also likely to be applicable to the use of public squares, there is little empirical evidence to verify that. A field study was conducted to explore user behaviour in two differently illuminated public squares. Observations of the movements and stationary activities of people in the squares were recorded at both squares for the same times of day in the weeks before and after the daylight savings clock change, enabling a comparison of activity in daylight and after dark. 5296 observations were recorded and lighting conditions were captured with HDR-photography and aerial photos. Kirseberg square, with asymmetric luminaires and metal halide lamps, revealed a decrease in stationary activity after dark. Lindeborg square, with omnidirectional luminaires and high-pressure sodium lamps, revealed an increase in stationary activity. In conclusion, the patterns of user behaviour in the two public squares after dark seem to be differently influenced by electric lighting, pointing to a need for further understanding of users’ experience of the squares after dark.</p>}},
author = {{Hennig, V. K.R. and Gentile, N. and Fotios, Steve and Sternudd, C. and Johansson, Maria}},
issn = {{1477-1535}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{7-8}},
pages = {{621--642}},
publisher = {{SAGE Publications}},
series = {{Lighting Research and Technology}},
title = {{User behaviour in public squares after dark}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/14771535231200390}},
doi = {{10.1177/14771535231200390}},
volume = {{55}},
year = {{2023}},
}