Outdoor urban lighting can be a challenging and often poorly understood endeavor. More is not necessarily more for either human vision or security. This discussion is based on a recent series of walks through several areas of downtown Seattle at night with a varied group of participants looking critically at existing installation types and opportunities for improvement. It was originally delivered to the Downtown Security forum in March 2026.

Energy effective lighting design begins with a fundamental understanding of human perception and how we may use carefully targeted light to achieve visual goals while minimizing energy use and overall cost. This is as true for exterior lighting as it is for interior.

This discussion will offer a review of human perception leading to practical tips on how to consider effective lighting including concepts. Real world examples will be used to illustrate effective design approaches as well as some cautionary tales.

AUDIENCE

This discussion will be appropriate for anyone interested in exterior urban lighting applications.