The role of lighting in supporting town centre regeneration and economic recovery
The research collated and presented in this report aims to help guide towns in their investment planning towards facilitating and encouraging economic activity.
Lighting can play a pivotal role in revitalising high streets and town centres by enhancing the attractiveness of the environment. With more people choosing to walk or cycle, lighting is essential to help create a feeling of safety, particularly during the darker winter months.
Written during the COVID-19 pandemic, this report discusses why now is the time for local governments to rethink the value of urban lighting beyond just a functional add-on for safety or beautification and recognise it as a solution for economic recovery, as well as the quality of life for citizens, both during and post-pandemic.
We have highlighted nine challenges at the heart of town centre regeneration and the role of lighting as a tool to take practical action. Our selection of global case studies focus on the socio-economic value of lighting and ways to enhance our human experience in public spaces during the hours of darkness. The report concludes with guidance on developing a comprehensive lighting strategy to meet with the town’s objectives for regeneration.
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