Urban Atmospheres: Privately Owned Public Spaces

Sturla, Maria Florencia

4. Term

Lighting Design

2022

2022-05-25

63 pages

The aim of this master´s thesis is to study the influence of lighting on atmosphere perception in Privately Owned Public Spaces. This new urban typology is often regarded as uninviting or exclusive and for this reason, ends up being underused. Lighting could then be implemented to improve the pedestrian´s perception of P.O.P.S. to encourage them to spend more time in them. For this purpose, a literature review of relevant papers and bibliographical material on P.O.P.S., urban lighting, and urban atmospheres was performed. To get an insight into the state of these spaces, their use, and lighting solutions in the city of Copenhagen, a case study of 3 projects were done using K. Lynch´s theory and the Project for Public Spaces Urban Quality evaluation tool. Finally, a field test on Sund Nature Park was set using discussion groups and atmosphere metrics to evaluate how different light intensities affected the atmosphere perception of this urban space during the nighttime. Due to different limitations, despite having results in line with the initial hypothesis and previous research, the results of the test were not conclusive but instead, show how atmospheres and lighting are inherently cultural and social and should always be put into context by incorporating all the involved actors into the design process. As a conclusion of this thesis, from all the collected material a series of recommendations to make P.O.P.S. be perceived as more inviting and inclusive, highlighting the importance of research as well on our professional practice as a continuous process to develop better urban spaces no matter their ownership.

light ; atmosphere ; Privately owned public spaces ; urban lighting ; public space ; social lighting

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