Leipzig reduces street lighting to combat light pollution

Leipzig is reducing light pollution by turning off street lighting in sections of Wundtstrasse and Travniker Strasse. As part of the European project ‘The Art of Darkness’, funded by the ‘Horizon Europe’ program, the city aims to protect nocturnal habitats for insects and other animals, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like the Auwald forest.

By deactivating 278 light points, the city expects to save approximately 83,000 kilowatt-hours of energy annually and reduce long-term maintenance costs. Michael Jana, head of the Mobility and Civil Engineering Office, stated that light should be used where it serves well-being and safety rather than being applied indiscriminately.

The lights will be switched off but not dismantled initially. After one year, the city will evaluate the impact on traffic safety before deciding whether to permanently remove the infrastructure. This initiative aligns with the city’s ‘Light Master Plan’ and the LUCI Declaration for the Future of Urban Lighting.