Buildings as Lanterns: To what extent does interior lighting of buildings influence pedestrian perceived safety?

Sammanfattning

Making use of a conceptual framework developed by the German philosopher Walter Benjamin, this thesis explores the notion of “Buildings as Lanterns”; examining how illuminated windows in urban spaces can contribute to pedestrian perceived safety, and how they can promote social conviviality in our cities. Through presenting the Swedish culture of lighting domestic windows in the context of perceived safety and passive surveillance, alongside comparable artefacts, this thesis aims to explore lighting as a culture and buildings as civic instruments to create safer nighttime urban environments. Keywords: Perceived Safety; Passive Surveillance; Lighting Culture; Urban Conviviality.