The city at night : a case-study of a contemporary urban project in Malta

Abstract

" ... he who knows the night knows the whole city" (Schlor, 1998: 45) Cities-at-night offer a diversity of potentially emotional experiences. Every city offers its unique nocturnal atmosphere and it is this quality which led this author to consider this dissertation topic. This study seeks to understand how light can be used in shaping the night time image of urban environment. This involves the lighting of selected urban elements by the clever use of different types of light. The careful identification of these elements is therefore of utmost importance in carrying out a lighting plan. The ways by which people experience a city are also of great relevance in tackling such a plan. It is understood that people are no longer constrained by traditional time structures. As a consequence, the use of time and the pattern of activities are being variously stretched into the night. Moreover, nocturnal entertainment has become a basic need in people's lives. This led to the emergence of leisure infrastructure. Hence, this study seeks to find ways in which today's cities by night may be rendered pleasant environments for people to be in. Security in nocturnal urban environment forms another important part of this study. Several urban and lighting design contributions that can be adopted in improving security at night will be discussed. In the final analysis, an urban and lighting design proposal in a contemporary urban project in Malta will be analyzed with respect to the research carried out.