 The jury, chaired by Carola Wingren, a member of IFLA (International Federation of Landscape Architects), said: “This is an impressive project to rehumanize this urban area. This effort to bring nature back to the city combined with an harmonious and almost entertaining landscape design gives this previously lost and forgotten place an almost fairytale night-time image. The lighting design plays with light and dark as well as with the transparency of the water. The subtle use of color adds to the overall quality of this relaxing and recreational urban environment, thus clearly improving the quality of life for those living here.”
The international jury was made up of a representative from one LUCI member city (Robbert Nesselaar from CMO Rotterdam), lighting designers (Maurici Gines from Spain, Martin Lupton from UK and the PLDA president, plus Akari Ishii Lisa from France/Japan), one architect from Germany, Peter Brdenk, and Carola Wingren, member of IFLA.
Second prize was awarded to the city of Riga, Latvia. The jury felt that this project was a perfect example of how to outline a landmark for both orientation and identification purposes whilst cleverly integrating the object into the urban environment. The use of lighting as a tool to create a city brand in a sustainable way was also acknowledged.
Third prize was awarded to the city of St Gallen, Switzerland. The jury was particularly impressed by the freshness and simplicity of this project. The red carpet brings people onto the street, creates a homely feeling and a completely new way for people to experience the city as a combination of both private and public space. This is further enhanced by the alien-shaped luminaires, which help to make this residential area feel like a living space.
The International city.people.light award was set up jointly by Philips Lighting and the Lighting Urban Community International Association (LUCI) in 2003 to reward the towns or cities that best demonstrate the added value that lighting can give to an area’s cultural and architectural heritage and night-time identity, whilst at the same time respecting the environment.
Urban lighting has become more than simply a means of ensuring security and promoting visibility and is now regarded as an essential component of town planning and a major part of a town’s cultural identity, whatever its size.
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