The allure of a city doesn't just lie in its bustling daytime charm but also in the elegant ambiance it exudes at night. As part of the新一轮综åˆçŽ¯å¢ƒæå‡å·¥ç¨‹ (new round of comprehensive environmental improvement), Nanjing is intensifying efforts to execute its three-year urban lighting enhancement project. From now until 2018, the initiative aims to construct a three-dimensional framework around landmarks like the Yangtze River, Qinhuai River, Xuanwu Lake, the Ming City Wall, and the outer ring roads, creating a magnificent "nighttime business card" for the city.
But how do we manage light pollution while improving nighttime lighting? How can we promote energy efficiency and sustainability on a large scale? And what role does the lighting of the Ming City Wall play in preserving historical artifacts? These pressing public concerns prompted our in-depth investigation.
How to Control Light Pollution?
Bright yet Not Blinding: Crafting an "Eco-Light Environment"
Concerns about "light pollution" and energy wastage often shadow urban lighting projects. Given the scale and complexity of Nanjing's current night lighting enhancement project, how can we innovate in both design philosophy and technology to address these issues?
Previously, some cities' nightscapes suffered from excessive brightness due to a misguided focus on novelty and brilliance, resulting in various degrees of light pollution and environmental harm. Nanjing’s upgraded night lighting emphasizes the creation of an "eco-light environment," minimizing disturbance to people while providing a visually appealing yet comfortable experience.
"The most common forms of light pollution are glare and spill light," explained Yang Lan, a designer at the Urban Management Bureau's Street Lighting Management Office. Before installing each lighting fixture, meticulous scientific simulations calculate factors like brightness, wattage, and material. The exact placement and height of the lamps are determined to precisely control the beam angles, ensuring that light falls exactly where needed without encroaching on the night sky.
At the South Plaza of Nanjing Railway Station, the Chinese-style bamboo-shaped lampposts symbolize "gradual progress." Whether viewed from afar or close up, whether looking up or down, the bamboo lanterns emit soft, diffused light. "Each bamboo lamp contains over 30 modules," said Xu Zhixiang, Assistant Manager of Xuanwu Lake Lighting Construction Co., Ltd. "This design ensures a pleasant visual experience from every angle."
"Tree lights should be angled at 60 degrees upward to avoid disturbing pedestrians," noted the designer on-site at the Xuanwu Lake lakeside road. "Headlights should be installed five meters above the ground, and small lamps with a canopy of five meters or less should be placed accordingly." Workers on lifts carefully illuminate the towering trees under the guidance of the designers. "The integration of design and construction is a critical component of this project," explained the head of the Urban Management Bureau's Street Light Management Office. Designers visit the installation sites to oversee setup, calibration, and modifications to ensure the envisioned lighting effects are achieved.
Shen Ru, Secretary General of the Nanjing Illumination Institute, remarked that Nanjing's night lighting has undergone significant upgrades. Initial assessments of ambient brightness have been conducted, with lighting effects tailored to harmonize with their surroundings. "In the completed projects thus far, there has indeed been a commitment to scientific planning, design, and execution," she affirmed.
This project represents more than just improved aesthetics; it embodies a forward-thinking approach to urban development that respects both modernity and tradition, ensuring Nanjing shines brightly as a global metropolis while safeguarding its rich cultural heritage.
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