City center lighting concept
Public space is becoming increasingly important in competition between cities, especially in metropolitan areas such as the Rhine-Main region. This includes preserving and expanding the so-called "soft location factors," the quality of public space, and the cityscape. In addition, the continuing trend toward intensive use of public spaces in the evening hours necessitates a reorganization and reinterpretation of public lighting for streets, squares, and buildings.
The city planning office has been working intensively with the medium of light for several years. It became clear early on that a lighting concept was necessary as a control instrument and basis for future lighting measures in order to implement individual measures conceptually over long periods of time in times of limited financial resources.
Content of the lighting concept
The lighting concept deals intensively with the medium of light in general and the lighting situation of streets, squares, and buildings in the city center in particular. Based on the concept, which defines goals and principles, professional, contemporary lighting plans for public spaces and individual buildings are to be developed in the future as needed. The aim is to highlight the city's identity and enhance the city center by using light to showcase the cityscape. Other important aspects of the lighting concept include increasing the attractiveness for residents, tourists, and retailers, reducing the variety of luminaires, using environmentally friendly light sources, avoiding light pollution, and creating safety.
Goals and principles
The lighting concept contains objectives and principles that, following the city council decision of October 5, 2005, define the framework conditions in the area of lighting for the coming years.
General:
- The statements in the lighting concept are handled flexibly and offer scope for location-specific solutions.
- Energy consumption is to be reduced through the use of new lighting technology and economical use of light.
- Lighting costs are to be reduced through sustainable lighting management.
- New technologies should be tested and used where possible.
- Safety should be ensured in general, in accordance with guidelines and standards.
- Barriers and areas that cause fear should be removed, thereby promoting the revitalization of public spaces.
- Light pollution should be avoided through targeted and precise lighting.
- Insect protection should be optimized.
- Street lighting should be reorganized, i.e., the variety of lights should be reduced.
Design:
- The city of Mainz should be designed with light, which means that its potential and strengths should be highlighted in order to create an attractive nighttime cityscape and thus enhance the public space.
- Lighting should be considered an integral part of city marketing. An attractive cityscape at night is considered a location factor. The historical heritage and potential of the city of Mainz should be emphasized, highlighting the city's positive image, beauty, and uniqueness.
- The various images, qualities, and locations of the city of Mainz should be highlighted.
- Lighting moods should be created. Street lighting, commercial lighting, and urban spaces and objects illuminated with light must be harmoniously coordinated.
- The squares should be illuminated, not the lights themselves.
- The principle of less light – more quality must be followed by "allowing" light and shadow, through targeted and intelligent lighting of public spaces and architecture. Flat lighting with high wattages must be avoided.
Procedure:
- The lighting concept aims at gradual implementation. Locations and objects defined in the concept are to be highlighted sensitively and carefully with light. More detailed lighting plans based on the lighting concept are necessary for this. The flexible and gradual implementation of the individual projects over a long period of time is based on the premise that the annual costs will not increase significantly or will be offset by other measures (e.g., reduction in electricity consumption).
- For lighting projects, the city of Mainz aims to work closely and purposefully with private actors in order to combine forces, exploit synergies, and drive projects forward.
Long version info brochure
The brochure "Lighting Concept for the City Center – Long Version" can be viewed at the Mainz City Planning Office during opening hours.