Expert consultations held as part of the update to Prague’s public lighting strategy.
The Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR Prague) has completed the first stage of updating Prague’s public lighting strategy. The process included two workshops where experts from different fields discussed what public lighting in Prague should look like. The consultations are part of the ongoing modernization of the lighting system. The process was initiated and overseen by IPR Prague at the request of the Prague City Assembly, with Technology of the City of Prague (THMP), the municipal company responsible for operating and developing the city’s public lighting, as its main partner.
Ondřej Boháč, Director of IPR Prague, notes: “The expert workshops confirmed that public lighting is not just about lighting technology. It is a genuinely interdisciplinary issue that brings together requirements for street safety, the health of Prague residents, nature protection, the quality of public space, and technical and economic feasibility. It is also important not to overlook aspects that cannot be measured by any instrument or statistic but fundamentally influence how we feel about and perceive the city.”
The participatory process was prepared and moderated by the Atelier for Public Debate (AVD) and included an expert discussion on the technical, environmental, and social impacts of public lighting. The aim is to find agreement on safe and functional lighting while minimizing the negative effects that artificial light inevitably brings. The workshops brought together experts in lighting technology, chronobiology, ecology, nature conservation, transport, safety, architecture, and urban planning, as well as representatives of municipal organizations and the state administration.
Tomáš Jílek, Chairman of the Board of Technology of the City of Prague, says: “The workshops showed how many different perspectives need to be considered when making decisions about public lighting. The views of experts on nature and health are just as important as the experience of people who design and operate lighting systems. The economic side of operating the lighting system is equally important, particularly in light of energy market conditions. Our task is to find a solution that is safe, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible, while also meeting applicable legal and technical requirements. That is why every discussion needs to consider all sides of this triangle, rather than focusing on a single parameter, such as light color. Every location has different needs, and these must be assessed by experts. We want to reduce unnecessary and disruptive light, but streets, crossings and other public spaces must continue to serve people safely after dark.”
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