Let’s all Get Smart together
PLDC 2019 pre-convention training sessions for municipalities and all involved in the planning and design of lighting in the urban realm
22.10.19, 14.00 – 21.30 and 23.10.19, 11.00 – 16.30
The objective:
At the end of the training session, participants will have gained an understanding of the importance and responsibilities involved in urban planning and evolving and amending lighting strategies / masterplans so that there is a positive context for designing lighting for and in the public realm. They will also gain an understanding of their role in the design process / decision-making and the impact that well designed lighting can have on people living and working in their towns and cities.
Learning formats:
Frontal presentations, work-in-progress statements, group work + discussion, debate, excursion, observation + evaluation processes.
Register here.
The Get Smart session is kindly sponsored by

Neri is an independent urban lighting and furniture company based in Italy with branches in France, US, Middle East and India. Founded in 1962 by Domenico Neri, the firm is today led by the third generation of the Neri family. We are known around the world for our urban décor culture and an unrivalled archive of products, which can be found in cities around the world from Venice to Paris and from New York to Dubai.

At Valmont, we produce the infrastructure products to support and enrich growing economies around the world. We design, manufacture and deliver market-leading lighting structures in steel, aluminium, wood, as well as other specialist materials. Our global network of manufacturing facilities and our team of expert designers and engineers are ready to support your creativity.
Time | Tuesday, 22. October, 2019 | |
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14:00 |
Welcome and introductions |
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14:15 |
Understanding an urban landscape – defining the public realm. |
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14:45 |
Work-in-progress reports Annukka Larsen and Elisa Hillgen: Report from Jyväskälä/FI The speakers will dive deep into the roots of a successful large-scale urban lighting strategy. Jyväskylä is the only city in Finland to have a lighting coordinator to guide the lighting process from the concept phase to the maintenance of the realised urban lighting. Over the years many tests and lighting trials have been undertaken to help citizens and municipal decision-makers understand the value of purposefully designed lighting. Margherita de Nicola: Report from L’Aquila/IT The speaker will report on the lighting designed for the town following the earthquake in 2009. The solution developed enables the light to be dimmed and the colour temperature changed from cool through to warm white light depending on the time of day/year and to suit human needs. The speaker will report on the impact of the lighting scheme for inhabitants and visitors. |
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15:25 |
The role of the municipality in the design process / decision-making Riccardo Marini and Martin Valentine: |
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15:55 |
Who is responsible for designing/planning urban space: |
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16:20 |
Elettra Bordonaro and Don Slater: Instructions for the excursion |
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16.30 |
Coffee break with snacks |
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17:15 – 21:00 |
Excursion in Rotterdam |
Time | Wednesday, 23. October, 2019 | |
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11:00 |
Welcome back and overview of the previous day |
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11:15 |
Who are we planning for – let’s talk about people Elettra Bordonaro and Don Slater |
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11:45 |
What makes sense for our towns and cities – the need for collective awareness |
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12:15 |
Clarify group work session Specialists will chair the discussions and gather questions to pose to the panel of experts to conclude the session. Attendees change tables every 15 minutes to have the chance to discuss every topic. |
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12:30 |
Lunch break |
|
13:30 |
Group work Topics for discussion – The relevance of a catalogue of criteria for municipal decision-makers – Project management for urban lighting projects – who should be involved – Finding an appropriate lighting specialist / designer – Coordinating co-design |
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14.30 |
Coffee break with snacks and preparation for the panel Q+As |
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15:00 |
The topics discussed in the group work will be presented to the panel of experts for open discussion. |
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15.45 |
Conclusions and end of session |
[…] The full programme of the Get Smart session is available HERE. […]