Upcoming webinars: rethinking light for healthier cities

Light plays a fundamental role in shaping our built environment, influencing everything from aesthetics and functionality to energy efficiency and human wellbeing. As cities continue to evolve, designers and urban planners must balance the need for illumination with the broader environmental and psychological impacts of artificial light. With technology advancing rapidly, it is more important than ever to make informed decisions about how we use light – both to enhance our surroundings and to mitigate its unintended consequences.

Signify’s Lighting Academy is addressing these challenges with two upcoming AIA and CPD-accredited webinars: ‘Color Matters’ and ‘Preserving Darkness’. These sessions, led by industry experts, will explore the ways lighting design influences our built environment, from the dominance of blue light in urban environments to the need for preserving natural darkness.

Colour Matters

The first webinar explore the impact of colour in urban design. The webinar, entitled ‘Color Matters’, is scheduled for Thursday 27^th February 2025, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM CET, will be led by Colin Ball, Lighting Director at BDP in London. This session delves into the prevalent use of blue light in contemporary urban lighting design, particularly during night-time, and examines the many factors contributing to its dominance.

Key topics include political and corporate influences, where blue is often chosen for its neutrality; emotional associations, linking blue to calming effects; cultural and historical contexts, highlighting blue’s symbolic significance; economic aspects, noting the affordability of blue LED technology; and physiological effects, discussing blue light’s impact on human health and circadian rhythms.

The webinar aims to encourage designers to critically assess the broader implications of their colour choices on both the environment and human well-being. Participants will gain insights into making more informed and thoughtful lighting decisions.

When: Thursday 27^th February, 2025
Time: 16:00 – 17:00 CET | 15:00 – 16:00 GMT | 10:00 – 11:00 EST
Where: Online
Register here.

Preserving Darkness

The second upcoming webinar from Signify focuses on the power of darkness. The webinar is titled ‘Preserving Darkness’ and it will be presented by Sarvdeep Basur, Principal of Lucent Worldwide on Thursday, 27^th March 2025, from 16:00 to 17:00 CET.

This session emphasises the critical role of darkness in environmental preservation and human wellbeing, advocating for lighting designs that honour natural darkness. Key discussion points include the environmental consequences of excessive artificial lighting, such as disruptions to wildlife habitats and plant growth; the principles of ‘dark sky’ initiatives promoting sustainable lighting practices globally; and the benefits of mindful lighting design in reducing energy consumption, enhancing sleep quality, and maintaining natural aesthetics.

The webinar aims to equip urban planners, architects, and lighting designers with strategies to balance lighting needs with environmental considerations, fostering a more sustainable coexistence with nature. Participants will gain insights into implementing lighting solutions that respect and preserve darkness.

When: Thursday 27^th March, 2025
Time: 16:00 – 17:00 CET | 15:00 – 16:00 GMT | 10:00 – 11:00 EST
Where: Online
Register here.

As lighting design continues to evolve, the need for a thoughtful and responsible approach has never been greater. Signify’s upcoming webinars provide a platform for industry professionals to explore the balance between lighting, sustainability and human wellbeing.