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Updating policy to include light pollution issues
Published on 09 July 2019
Hungary
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The practice represents a significant improvement in the legal regulation of light pollution issues. Beforehand, light pollution was addressed only by the Hungarian Act No. XCI. of 2008 amending the Hungarian Act on Nature Protection (Act No. LIII of 1996) focusing on only protected areas excluding the problems of settlements mostly affected by light pollution.
This newly updated Decree includes a clear definition of light pollution (Annex 1.) including the general requirement to focus lights on where and when it’s needed. Beside the definition, there are two sections in the regulation including light pollution; the first one is related to the health issues of light pollution in buildings while the second one provides specific instructions of the lighting of buildings, public lighting, sky signs and advertising lights.
This newly updated Decree includes a clear definition of light pollution (Annex 1.) including the general requirement to focus lights on where and when it’s needed. Beside the definition, there are two sections in the regulation including light pollution; the first one is related to the health issues of light pollution in buildings while the second one provides specific instructions of the lighting of buildings, public lighting, sky signs and advertising lights.
Resources needed
Lighting Society of Hungary, Hungarian Astronomical Association, nature protection expert and practitioners, biologists, medical experts and doctors, chambers of architects, experts and professionals of starry sky parks worked for years to achieve the change and inclusion of light pollution.
Evidence of success
As this step is the first significant one towards the reduction of light pollution concerning regulatory aspects, there were no concrete measures and evaluation so far. However, the general consideration of light pollution during the construction and planning of settlements and buildings efficiently started; potential improvement is expected to stop solutions with disturbing light pollution while not providing real lighting benefit.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice can be considered as applicable in countries/regions without any regulations/legal background for light pollution.
Specific preliminary professional background (measures, identification of concrete problem – e.g. public lighting, lighting of private buildings, light pollution in protected areas, protection of habitat and wildlife, etc. -, studies, common understanding, cooperation of specific stakeholders concerned) is required. Inserting this kind of regulation (policy update) into existing legal background depends of specific national frameworks.
Specific preliminary professional background (measures, identification of concrete problem – e.g. public lighting, lighting of private buildings, light pollution in protected areas, protection of habitat and wildlife, etc. -, studies, common understanding, cooperation of specific stakeholders concerned) is required. Inserting this kind of regulation (policy update) into existing legal background depends of specific national frameworks.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Government of Hungary
Hungary
Contact
senior regional development expert