Urban developments are growing, and related design has evolved by putting human needs and interests first. In order to develop in a sustainable way, we urgently need to balance our needs with the needs of nature. Education and policymaking play crucial roles in providing balance for responsible practices, however, concrete data and knowledge are necessary to inform policy development. In this broader context, one focus area particularly relevant in Nordic countries is the use of electric light in after-dark outdoor environments and the impact it has on flora, fauna, energy use, and human behaviour and well-being. 

Objectives:

• support the development of sustainable lighting and related policies for urban green areas after-dark
• develop solutions that minimize energy use, light pollution, and negative impacts on local wildlife
• support and enable pedestrian use of urban green areas after-dark
• foster awareness about the interaction between humans and wildlife in urban lighting conditions

Strategies:

• develop new research-driven, evidence-based knowledge
• bring relevant disciplines together – design, technology, psychology, ecology – in a joint research project
• collaborate with industry organizations and municipalities