When do technological progress, energy savings, and safety outweigh the harmful effects on human health? Public lighting in Prague is undergoing gradual modernization. Approximately 12% of lamps have so far been equipped with new LED sources, which are designed to reduce energy consumption, increase the feeling of safety, and prepare the infrastructure for future technologies such as smart lighting control or other urban network functions. However, the whiter type of light is causing mixed reactions, as it disrupts the natural alternation of light and darkness to a greater extent. Scientific studies warn that artificial lighting can suppress the biological rhythms of organisms and negatively affect humans, animals, and plants. The discussion will focus on what kind of light we need in the city and how to find a balance between technical efficiency, the quality of the nighttime environment, and responsibility towards residents and nature.

Schedule
19:00–19:05 | Introduction and setting the scene

19:05–19:45 | Expert contributions: What do we know about light in cities?

• Petr Žák / educator and researcher specializing in lighting technology
  Technical parameters of public lighting, the development of light sources, and their impact on the quality of the nighttime environment.
• David Chod / lighting metrologist
  Measurement and evaluation of lighting parameters in public spaces and their relationship to safety.
• Zdeňka Bendová / expert on biological rhythms
  The impact of artificial light on circadian rhythms, sleep, and long-term human health.

19:55–20:35 | Panel discussion

• Michal Hroza / Deputy Mayor of Prague for Infrastructure
• Tomáš Jílek / Director of Technology for the City of Prague
• Kristýna Lhotská / Head of the Department of Urban Design, IPR Prague
• Hynek Medřický / Member of the Protect Prague Night petition committee

20:45 | Walk through illuminated Prague
The program will conclude with a short walk from CAMP across Karlovo náměstí to Albertov, during which participants will be able to see various types of public lighting directly in the streets and discuss specific examples in a real-life setting.

Moderator: Jiří Jaroš