“From next year, all lighting systems of downtown buildings in Seoul will be allowed until 11 p.m. in a move to reduce light pollution. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has recently announced a new set of regulations on city lighting and the prevention of light pollution, said officials Monday. According to the regulations, media facade lighting systems large light emitting diode lighting systems attached on the outer walls of buildings are to be allowed from 30 minutes after sunset until 11 p.m. The same rule applies to viewing light systems for outdoor art pieces and construction pieces, officials said. The regulations also state that builders are to avoid the use of primary colors or moving lights when installing a new lighting system in downtown areas.
The emitted light is to focus on the statue, monument or the art itself instead of flaring out to neighboring spaces. Also, all kinds of private artificial lighting are to be allowed within 100 meters of special historical districts and state-designated cultural assets, or 50 meters of city-designated cultural assets, according to the regulations. The metropolitan government plans to financially support part of the required budget in districts which reorganize their lighting system to abide by the new regulations, officials said. The corresponding regulations will be officially announced by the end of this year, after undergoing reviews.”
Worldwide, South Korea is considered a megalopolis. With ~50million people in a country relatively the same size as Portugal or Hungary, light pollution is nearly omnipresent. As such, this new initiative will help reduce light pollution through not completely eliminate it. If we wish to completely eliminate light pollution 100%, we must utilize shielded lighting fixtures. Proper shielding directs the light downward, where it is needed most, rather than upward, where it is useless. Bravo South Korea and continue fighting the good fight!
Let there be night!
