Integrating Sustainable Lighting into Urban Green Space Management: A Case Study of Light Pollution in Polish Urban Parks

Grzegorz Iwanicki (), Tomasz Ściężor, Przemysław Tabaka, Andrzej Z. Kotarba, Mieczysław Kunz, Dominika Daab, Anna Kołton, Sylwester Kołomański, Anna Dłużewska and Karolina Skorb
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Grzegorz Iwanicki: Institute of Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
Tomasz Ściężor: Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Kraków, Poland
Przemysław Tabaka: Institute of Electrical Power Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 90-537 Łódz, Poland
Andrzej Z. Kotarba: Space Research Centre of Polish Academy of Sciences (CBK PAN), 00-716 Warsaw, Poland
Mieczysław Kunz: Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
Dominika Daab: Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
Anna Kołton: Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Kraków, 31-425 Kraków, Poland
Sylwester Kołomański: Astronomical Institute, University of Wrocław, 51-622 Wrocław, Poland
Anna Dłużewska: Institute of Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
Karolina Skorb: Doctoral School of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-512 Kraków, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-28

Abstract: Urban parks often represent the last viable habitats for wildlife in city centres, functioning as crucial refuges and biodiversity hotspots for a wide array of plant and animal species. This study investigates the issue of light pollution in urban parks in selected Polish cities from the perspective of sustainable urban development and dark-sky friendly ordinances. Field data conducted in 2024 and 2025 include measurements of Upward Light Output Ratio (ULOR), illuminance, luminance, correlated colour temperature (CCT), and spectral characteristics of light sources. In addition, an analysis of changes in the level of light pollution in the studied parks and their surroundings between 2012 and 2025 was performed using data from the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) located on the Suomi NPP satellite. Results highlight the mismatch between sustainable development objectives and the current practice of lighting in most of the analysed parks. The study emphasises the need for better integration of light pollution mitigation in urban spatial policies and provides recommendations for environmentally and socially responsible lighting design in urban parks.

Keywords: urban green space; urban parks; light pollution; sustainable lighting; ALAN (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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