Light in architecture and urban planning – the underestimated element bonding the city

The city consists of houses, buildings, squares, streets, green spaces. Each urban element has its place and meaning. These elements enhanced by lighting gain additional value: the mutual relationships changes, some gain importance or start to inflect certain impact on the users. There are three main lighting groups: lighting for safety, advertising and aesthetic illumination that co-create the image of the city at night. The quality and quantity of lighting has a decisive influence on the perception of safety and spatial orientation. At night, light can enhance and frame city's characteristic views, creating new panoramic experiences. Lighting in urban areas requires very careful planning, because in addition to its safety role it can also significantly affect the physical experiences and the mood of the inhabitants. Currently applied lighting typology and solutions do not consider the psychological comfort of the communities. Poorly planned lighting causes three types of issues: aesthetic, ecological and physical and psychological. Inadequate and badly planned lighting can create visual chaos, increase light pollution and its 'night-interference' in residential zones may increase visual discomfort experienced by the residents, disturbing the circadian cycle. The main requirement for a successful integration of the city through the light relies on devising comprehensive lighting design programmes, which will include the various rules and guidelines for lighting. The next crucial stage would be the consistent implementation of the devised plan.