The European ENLIGHTENme Project Comes to an End: Four Years of Research on the Impact of Lighting on Health and Well-being

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After four years of work, the ENLIGHTENme research project, funded by the European Union under the HORIZON 2020 Program, concludes with a wealth of knowledge and tools to improve urban lighting policies in Europe. Coordinated by the University of Bologna, the project involved 22 international partners from 10 countries and focused on analyzing the impact of indoor and outdoor lighting on people's health and well-being, with particular attention to the over-65 population and other vulnerable groups.

ENLIGHTENme experimented with innovative solutions in three European cities-Bologna, Amsterdam (Netherlands), and Tartu (Estonia)-by creating real "urban lighting laboratories." The project aimed to collect, study, and systematize data through ethnographic research and co-design workshops to support an in-depth study of the correlation between health, well-being, indoor and outdoor lighting, and socio-economic factors.

In this context, thanks to the collaboration between the Municipality of Bologna, the IU Rusconi Ghigi Foundation, the University of Bologna, the Bologna Local Health Authority (AUSL), and international research institutes, a thorough study was conducted on the effects of artificial lighting on people's health and well-being, with a specific focus on the elderly. In Bologna, the initiative particularly involved the Savena district, in the Due Madonne area, where a new lighting system for Piazza Lambrakis was co-designed with active citizen participation.

The project's results have been collected and disseminated through various channels to ensure a lasting impact over time:

• ENLIGHTENme YouTube Channel: Available online with all video materials produced during the project.

• Indoor Lighting Awareness Campaign Brochure: Featuring practical advice for improving home lighting. (Attached)

• Guidelines and Policy Briefs: Available on the Zenodo platform, supporting the development of new urban lighting strategies.

 

Ultimo aggiornamento: mercoledì 12 marzo 2025