GREEN TIPS
3.3.3 Light nuisance
The design of façade lighting should cater not only for aesthetics but also for the neighbourhood. A building façade with a
vibrant coloured lighting display can create memorable scenery. But when these lights shine through a bedroom window
every night, they can become an excessive nuisance for the occupants. Control of timing and careful design are needed
to strike a balance.
Another source of light pollution is the lighting for shop signs, displays and advertisements that are usually very bright at
street level. These are particularly problematic for residents living on lower floors. Again, controlling time and choosing
appropriate light fittings which emit light in restricted directions can reduce the problem.
Ways to minimise light nuisance and energy wastage
Guidelines on industry best practices for external lighting installations
In order to minimise the nuisance and energy wastage that may be caused by external lighting, it is
recommended that reference is made to the “Guidelines on Industry Best Practices for External Lighting
Installations” issued by Environment Bureau in January 2012. The Guidelines set out best practices for the
design, installation and operation of external lighting, covering areas such as the operating hours of lighting
installations, automatic controls, light pollution control measures, energy efficiency measures and lighting
project design planning. Key points include:
Read more at:
Environment Bureau
The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Environment Bureau. (2012). Guidelines on
Industry Best Practices for External Lighting Installations. Retrieved 8 April 2013, from
Switch off external
lighting after 23:00 or
after business hours
Position and aim the
lighting properly to avoid
over-spilling of light
outside, and use shields,
baffles, louvers and cut-
off features to control
light beams whenever
appropriate.
Avoid over-
illumination of signs,
façade, shop fronts
and facilities with
lighting.
3.3
Neighbourhood
3
Planning for shopping malls and shop spaces
80 Hong Kong Green Shop Guide
