Lighter & Brighter

One of the recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly, Art for the People is:

Lighter & Brighter

We recommend adding bright, beautifully designed and environmentally considerate lighting to dark places across the city, to make us feel safer and improve the night-time economy;
residents to choose the places by actively asking them;

– local people to co-design with creatives and lighting professionals;
– think about car parks, bus stops, subways;
– sensors that are activated as you walk to light the floor and art light boxes at bus stops;
– use of colourful lights that also takes into consideration people with disabilities;
– light colour paint on walls.

We’ve been out testing this recommendation with the help of Ludic Rooms: playing with temporary lighting at locations suggested by our Citizens, or by members of the public who came to our pop up neighbourhood hub in the spring.

For now we are just testing things out, so we can start some conversations, start to think about issues such as safety, power, or the effects of lighting on local wildlife – and to take the temperature on what local residents think of these temporary transformations. We’re also interested to hear what you think – have a look at the photos and let us know.

And, if there are areas or routes near where you live or work that you think would potentially be much improved by some creative lighting, and you fancy a chat about it – please get in touch….

Paxton Road

“I was asked to be part of a practice run of a light display/illumination, in an obscured path near to where I live. I really loved and appreciated the inclusion. The practice itself was fun because it felt new, experimental, possible and ‘highlighted’ the need for Light in so many dark places in our neighbourhood. I would say that the lights need to be stronger. But I am sure that they will be.” (local resident]

Whitley Business Park

Templar Park Industrial Estate/Torrington Avenue

Wyken Croft

Comments from people we spoke to included:

If it always looked like this I’d come here everyday

“Much more likely to use this route” “Don’t feel safer, but feel happier!” “Makes me want to spend longer here” “I love it. Think it’s brilliant.” “I wish it could stay like this. There’s constantly people flying about on off road bikes down here and I think this could help with anti social behaviour. I just avoid it usually.” “Makes it feel much nicer down here but I’d worry about the wildlife. Is there a way to light it without bothering them?” “Are you finally adding some lights down here?”