Reflections on urban lighting

'Reflections on urban lighting' discusses an under-explored problem and opportunity. It assesses how in places as diverse as Japan, Europe and the US urban public space has been transformed since cities were lit by electricity for the first time in the 19th century. It looks at the connections between technical possibilities and the aesthetics employed through artificial lighting. It argues that natural light originally and artificial lighting subsequently is linked symbolically, philosophically and aesthetically with the entire course and ideals of Western civilization. Four ways of how the city is perceived are discussed: 'the city as decor', 'as museum', 'as a canvas' and 'as democratic space'.