Aprropriate lighting of public space can improve safety and wellbeing. Image source: Shutterstock (#180160742).
In the Kypseli neighborhood in Athens people have been dimming their lights to save money since the 2008 financial crisis. The volunteer group Foteini Kypseli (Light in Kypseli) is now encouraging residents and businesses to turn the lights back on. Advocating for the replacement of high consumption lamps with ultra-low consumption LED bulbs, the group has had significant success.
They built relationships with lighting companies to make sure their neighbors get the best deals. Foteini Kypseli is hoping to bring back civic engagement and local pride to the neighborhood.
“There are many things that should be done, but we have decided to focus on just one: adequate, good quality lighting for the entrances of houses, apartment buildings and shops, roads, parks, and squares.The idea behind it is that simple changes can give back big returns in people’s everyday quality of life—far more than we often realize.”
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