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Thinking about how lights and lighting. How light is used for good or bad and who benefits or is harmed by these decisions to light up or keep in the dark certain places. 1/9
In most hoods, like the one I grew up in, light is used strategically by the City. Ex. lack of lighting at night on outdoor bball courts makes bball a daytime activity. This article talks about how even when lights are installed they often don’t work. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/courting-controversy-do-urban-basketball-courts-foster-community-or-violence/article26154141/ 2/9
Compare this to the fancy flood lights at Canoe Landing that light up the field so people can play pick up soccer, football and work out anytime of the day. Here’s a BlogTO article w/ several pictures of the Raptors logo illuminated at night: https://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2019/05/raptors-logo-canoe-landing-park-toronto/ 3/9
Lights are always strategically located by TCHC as part of their CPTED program so that “sites are designed to be well-lit and passively supervised from homes with generous windows and porches, providing improved "eyes on the street." https://www.torontohousing.ca/about/policies-programs/Pages/safety.aspx 4/9
Light as a deterrent is used here and abroad. Pink light is used as a cruel anti-loitering technique to prevent teens from hanging around certain places in the UK: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-03-20/pink-lights-talking-cameras-and-high-pitched-squeals-the-world-s-weirdest-anti-loitering-technologies 5/9
Light can also help ppl navigate when used appropriately. As a woman who travels at night for work and life I do appreciate the use of lights at designated TTC waiting areas. More frequent service would also help so I don’t have to be outside long in the dark. 6/9
Lighting is also an accessibility issue and depending on how spaces are designed the lighting can either improve or reduce access. This is a good article on what complete streets would mean if they were truly accessible: https://archive.curbed.com/2019/8/28/20835301/universal-streets-accessible-street-design 7/9
Light can create new realities and opportunities. This article discusses the role of street lights in Mogadishu in bringing back night life to the City (although light is not the only reason for this resurgence): https://goobjoog.com/english/street-lighting-brings-back-night-life-in-mogadishu/ 8/9
Lights play a role in branding of certain places and can convey a certain lifestyle aesthetic. Here’s an article on the controversial Aura building that not only has lighting at the top but also has LED lights running down the building side: https://www.thestar.com/amp/life/2016/01/16/aura-torontos-most-visible-and-invisible-building.html 9/9
What other ways is light used? What are the possibilities of thinking of light as tool for better city living?
