8 | URBAN
ULR
Polanco Road | Otura - Granada | Spain
The French government, with the law decree of 27 December 2018, has adopted a
legislative provision for the reduction and limitation of light pollution, aimed at night
skies preservation, intrusive light limitation, protection of biodiversity and increase
of energy savings. These goals are reached through the regulation of four features of
lighting fixtures and systems, which are: ULR (Uplight Lighting Ratio), CIE flux code n°3,
colour temperature and light flux density.
In addition, specific requirements are prescribed for astronomical observation areas,
national parks and nature reserves.
FRANCE:
LIGHT POLLUTION LAW
DECREE OF 27 DECEMBER 2018
ULR (Uplight Lighting Ratio) represents the percentage of light flux emitted upwards by
a lighting fixture.
Limiting the ULR value allows to protect night skies, which observation is in fact
compromised by upward directed light, detrimental for astronomical observatories and
amateur astronomers.
Fixture position
Horizontal
Tilted
- Lighting installations (both public and private) as roads,
which assure drivers, cyclists and pedestrians’ safety.
- Outdoor and semi-indoor parking lots.
< 1%
< 4%
- Lighting installations of any kind, if located within a 10
km radius from an astronomic observatory or inside a
nature reserve or a national park.
= 0%
= 0%
- Architectural lighting of cultural assets.
- Architectural and landscape lighting of parks and
gardens, both public and private.
- Sport venues.
- Temporary light installations for shows and events.
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