The city of London currently has a bright and sparkling skyline, with high-rises lighting up the evening. However, in an attempt to save energy and reduce light pollution, London skyscrapers may be asked to switch off their lights at night.
The City Of London Proposing To Make Skyscrapers Dim Their Lights At Night!
Skyscrapers in the City of London might be required to turn off their lights at night as part of proposals to save energy and reduce visual pollution! The energy-saving proposal will be located within Square Mile – a 1.12 square mile zone in the centre of London. This boundary stretches all the way from the Temple to the Tower of London and from Chancery Lane to Liverpool Street.
Skyscrapers within this zone would be asked to switch off unnecessary building lights to create “brightness zones” governed by curfews. If passed, the policy will be applied to new buildings automatically, which will have to follow the curfew. For older buildings, the curfew won’t be forced, but be highly recommended.
Skyscrapers Use Significantly More Energy Than Regular Buildings
London city officials are concerned about energy wastage caused by the unnecessary use of lights in high-rises that have few or no workers in the evening. But, with this new proposal, there are hopes that regulations will help London reach its target of achieving carbon net zero for the Square Mile by 2040.
But why high-rises? Well, high-rise buildings actually use two and a half times the electricity of low rises per square metre! Lighting, large glass windows and air conditioning are some of the main reasons why these high rises are the bigger polluters.
In 2020, an analysis was released showcasing the energy used overnight by buildings in Canary Wharf – the results showed that the electricity being unnecessarily used could power up to 4,000 homes per year — wow!
Brightness Zones To Be Created With Different Light Curfews
The City proposes the creation of three types of “brightness zones” with slightly earlier curfews set at 10pm for residential and heritage areas, 11pm for cultural and tourist areas and midnight for commercial, retail and transport hubs.
However, city officials share that efforts to combat light pollution need to be balanced with the fact that some people work through the night, especially keeping with international hours, while bars and restaurants are open until late.
A planning document, which was prepared with input from lighting architect Speirs Major, says that developments should “ensure all external and internal lighting is automatically turned off when not needed using motion sensors and/or time clocks or other automated control devices”.
If this new proposal for London’s nighttime lighting goes ahead, this may mean that skyscrapers could become more eco-friendly in the future.
What are your thoughts on this proposal for London? We’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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