In May 2016, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a study to examine different lighting technology’s impact on crime reduction in NYC. After a 31% increase in shootings at NYC Housing Authority developments in 2014, Blasio installed 400 units of white LED lights.
These harsh, blinding white LED lights had been purposefully installed directly under security cameras, affecting people’s perception of safety as it amplified the feeling of being “watched.”
Such architectural policing in NYC alienates its low-income residents from their neighbors because there’s a disparity in lighting around different areas. Wealthy neighborhoods used dimmer, shielded lights that didn’t neglect aesthetic values or the comfort of their residents. Furthermore, the white LED light can disrupt people’s circadian rhythms and disturb their sleep, affecting the health of the residents and the surrounding wildlife. The cool white LED lights used outdoors at night can also contribute to light pollution.
The pervasive effect of light on people’s physiology offers an interesting insight into the role of aesthetics in our daily life. For example, shielded lighting is better as it has a calming effect on people’s circadian physiology. Further, Warm LED lights report to have a more pleasant effect, less greenhouse gas emissions, and less cost than sodium lights. Light has the ability to characterize space as either appealing or unappealing, furthering divisions that already exist between rich and poor. These visual details have an impact on the perception and conditions of public spaces.
Source: https://brownpoliticalreview.org/2017/02/public-lighting-urban-wealth-gap/
