"Good lighting helps to increase vitality and improve ambience. It contributes to a sense of identity and place, makes for a safer, friendlier environment and also supports and complements other regeneration initiatives."
Glasgow, City of Light was established to re-appraise the overall visual coherence of the city’s lighting, including individual buildings and landmarks, statutory street lighting, amenity, and festive lighting and to present opportunities to enhance further the quality of the environment after dark in support of the wider planning and urban design aims for the city and to complement regeneration initiatives.
It is one of the few long-term strategic approaches to improving the perception of safety and vitality in the city at night. It has celebrated Glasgow’s fine architectural heritage, fragments of industrial past and recent regeneration. Through the lighting of neighbourhood landmarks such as Crookston Castle and the Steam Hammer at Beardmore Park it has helped create a sense of place and raised the quality of the local environment. Images of the city’s civic and cultural buildings are successfully used to market Glasgow to national and international audiences.
The Work of the Lighting Strategy is underpinned by the following aims:
- Improve Glasgow's image and promote the city as a visitor and tourist destination.
- Enhance the safety and perception of safety of all pedestrians and road users.
- Enhance residential amenity and security
- Highlight the city's architectural heritage and landmarks.
- Develop lighting as an art form in the city.
Since 2001 the lighting strategy has delivered over 100 projects of varying scales, introduced over 162km of white street lighting and presented two Radiance lighting festivals where lighting and art successfully came together and helped raise the city’s international profile. Glasgow’s membership and involvement with Lighting Urban Communities International (LUCI) also promotes Glasgow’s creativity, renewal and regeneration to a wide audience.
With the switch-on of the 100th project at Glasgow Cathedral in 2009 it was timely to reflect on the achievements of the strategy and renew the efforts to support the physical and social regeneration of Glasgow. In developing the Strategy in 2009 and beyond there is a movement away from lighting major city landmarks with greater emphasis given to a more locally based approach that is fully integrated in the regeneration of the city, builds partnerships with key regeneration agencies and engages with local communities. Lighting is a powerful tool that can signify positive change in an area.
The strategy is now focusing its efforts in areas undergoing significant change. It will seek to create early actions that can be used to draw attention to these positive changes and engage with the communities in these areas, the overall aim being to help create sustainable communities.
A number of principles have been established to direct the outputs of the strategy from 2009 onwards. These include:
- Create the means to allow individuals access to culture and the arts.
- Create works that surprise or ask questions.
- Bring to light the heritage of an area or the history of a group
- Create active and legible public spaces within the local neighbourhood.
- Support the creation of a more cohesive, healthier local environment for all.
- Engage with local communities to develop a sense of belonging.#Recognise the enduring characteristics or a significant moment of a place.
The strategy continues to promote design excellence and innovation in architectural and environmental lighting thought its City Plan policies and design guidance and promotes a responsible and sustainable approach to urban lighting.
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For further information please contact:
Heritage and Design
Development & Regeneration Services
229 George Street
Glasgow
G1 1QU
Simon Smith
Phone: 0141 287 8612
Fiona McDermott
Phone: 0141 287 8624
Email: cityoflight@glasgow.gov.uk
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