Reykjavík lighting policy up for approval

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Reykjavík's lighting policy establishes clear goals for city lighting that improves quality of life and safety, protects dark sky quality, reduces light pollution, and highlights the city's unique character through an action plan that ensures the plan is implemented effectively. The policy also guides the design and construction of lighting throughout the urban environment. Reykjavík City's Environment & Planning Council approved the Reykjavík lighting policy for 2030 and its action plan at its meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 19, and forwarded it to the City Executive Council before being sent to the City Council for final approval.

City lighting encompasses all outdoor lighting in the urban environment, including street and pathway lighting, lighting in open areas, school grounds, sports facilities, parking lots, landmarks, artworks, and underpasses, as well as floodlighting of structures.

Action plan accompanies the policy

Reykjavík City's Department of Environment & Planning will implement the Reykjavík lighting policy in collaboration with specialists. The policy and guidelines apply to all design and construction. An action plan with timelines, benchmarks, and the assignment of responsibilities accompanies the policy. Priorities will be reviewed annually and progress assessed regularly, and the policy will undergo a comprehensive review every five years to ensure it remains consistent with community needs, technological advances, and the City's sustainability goals.

The lighting policy was developed by a steering group that used an interdisciplinary approach, with input from lighting specialists working with Reykjavík City. The lighting policy steering group included Líf Magneudóttir, who served as chair, Ólafur Kr. Guðmundson, and Pawel Bartoszek.

Paves the way for modernized lighting

"Reykjavík City's lighting policy, which has now been released, is a comprehensive and significant policy that covers numerous projects that directly affect residents. While it paves the way for modernized and diverse lighting in Reykjavík, preserving dark sky quality and combating light pollution, it also aligns with many of the city's key policies that all aim to improve our quality of life," Líf says in the policy's foreword.

The policy is intended for those who plan, design, build, and maintain city lighting, as well as for the residents, visitors, businesses, and cultural institutions that experience it.

The process behind the policy

Considerable work went into the policy, which has been in development for some time. A draft was presented to the city's residents' councils and posted on Reykjavík's Consultation Portal in fall 2024. Five official statements were received from residents' councils, and the Architects Association of Iceland also submitted an opinion. A workshop was also held with 35 stakeholders, which generated a range of useful suggestions that were then incorporated into the policy.

Four major goals

  • Making Reykjavík a city for people — City lighting promotes safety, accessibility, and health.
  • Making Reykjavík a vibrant and creative city — City lighting highlights Reykjavík's cultural distinctiveness and creates social cohesion.
  • Making Reykjavík a green and sustainable city — City lighting will be a key component of the city's environmental priorities.
  • Promoting quality in the built environment — Innovation and technology will be leveraged to improve the quality of city lighting.

The future vision

The policy's vision is for lighting that creates safety and accessibility, a welcoming urban environment, and supports the well-being of residents and visitors. City lighting should also be locally focused and reflect the unique characteristics of neighborhoods, the city's culture, and nature, so that the unique character of each area is highlighted.

Dark sky quality is also part of the quality of the nighttime environment, and the goal is to ensure that stargazing and the natural darkness of night can be appreciated. At the same time, lighting will prioritize energy efficiency and eco-friendly methods, where smart solutions increase safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness. The goal is for Reykjavík to become an international model for sustainable and socially responsible city lighting. The full policy and its action plan are available on the City of Reykjavík's website.