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Abstract :
[en] Since its advent, artificial light at night (ALAN) has facilitated nocturnal human activity, extending daytime activities into the night. However, ALAN is increasingly recognised as an environmental concern due to its contribution to light pollution, which adversely impacts both human health and wildlife. This duality presents a complex challenge: how can public spaces be illuminated in a socially and environmentally responsible manner?
Technological advancements offer an opportunity to rethink the nocturnal landscape. The modernisation of outdated lighting infrastructure provides institutions with a chance not only to upgrade technologies but also to critically engage in shaping the future of nighttime environments. A key question emerges: how should the nocturnal landscape evolve to balance human needs with ecological preservation?
To address this, institutions must foster dialogue with local communities to better understand their nocturnal mobility patterns, use of public spaces, and lighting preferences. What are the population’s lighting needs? How willing are residents to accept reduced lighting for biodiversity conservation? What factors influence this acceptance?
Using the Walloon Region of Belgium as a case study, we conducted three surveys among residents in February-March 2022, October-November 2022, and October-November 2024. A total of 3142 respondents shared insights into their mobility habits, attitudes towards light reductions, specific conditions for acceptance, and persuasive arguments for promoting sustainability.
Our research contributes to the ongoing dialogue between academia, institutions, and communities by offering two key insights: (1) a deeper understanding of nocturnal mobility habits, lighting needs, and factors driving acceptance of light reductions; and (2) practical recommendations for policymakers to implement sustainable lighting strategies that balance social needs with environmental stewardship.
