Collection
(7)
Sessions Dark Festival @ ARTIS
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Article
The importance of darkness
Below you can watch the introduction given by an urban ecologist Els Corporaal. A theatre director and initiator of the Dark Festival Marjolijn van Heemstra tells about the importance of darkness.
The academic workshop Urban Ecology and Biobased Solutions has now been active for three years. The workshop aims to bring more research to the city. But also to connect city makers and researchers, to integrate sustainability into the city using old and new methods. And as befits a real ecosystem, this workshop brings together different disciplines to create synergy. -
Article
Bioclock: the effects of light pollution on humans, animals and plants
Below you can listen to the story of Dr. Joke Meijer, professor of Neuropsychology at Leiden University. She conducts research into the day and night rhythm of the world and how biology adapted to it.
With a beautiful and illuminating presentation she takes us into the origins of our biorhythms (3 billion years old) and our dependence on it. And the contrast with the current reality, in which the ecosystem is being destroyed in gardens with cozy LED lights for € 14.50.
All life on Earth has a lifestyle that is precisely adapted to this rhythm, allowing organisms to perform and function optimally. Entire ecosystems depend on this regularity, but the light pollution from our cities, industry and greenhouse horticulture completely disrupt this. The consequences are slowly becoming very harmful to people and nature.The recording was made on the 22nd of September 2023 during the Academic workshop Urban Ecology and Biobased Solutions, as the Dark Festival kick-off.
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Article
The Art of Light in Amsterdam
Titia Ex is a visual artist who mainly focuses on public space, with a specialization in both natural and artificial light.
The lecture was specifically about the urban development around Buikslotermeerplein, an area that is being densified and should become the intended beating heart of Noord. She organizes slightly sensitive walks through the area, starting at daylight, through twilight until evening, taking groups with her, including recently the council of the Amsterdam-Noord district.
Light and darkness can bring people together in urban spaces, emphasize the culture and identity of the city and shape the nightscape. Light is much more than a medium through which we can see. It affects our health, our ecosystems and the places we live in countless ways.
The aim of her research is to identify the impact of different light ecosystems to promote a better quality of life in urban areas, while adhering to the principles of sustainability, ecological renewal and regeneration.
Presentation by Titia Ex on September 22, 2023 during the Academic workshop Urban Ecology and Biobased Solutions, as a kick-off of the Dark Festival.
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Article
Zuidas turns the lights off – Green Business Club
Below is the last presentation of the Academic Workshop Urban Ecology & Biobased Solutions on Friday, September 22, 2023. The floor has been given to Lara Jongejans, the project manager of Green Business Club.
Lara Jongejans motivates and activates companies in the Zuidas to turn off office lighting when the buildings are not in use at night. In doing so, it also contributes to the reduction of light pollution caused by private parties. An important problem with private lighting is that large offices or other buildings simply do not have a central light switch that can be turned on or off. The task is therefore very complex and requires a lot of patience.Presentation by Titia Ex on September 22, 2023 during the Academic workshop Urban Ecology and Biobased Solutions, as a kick-off of the Dark Festival.
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Article
Summary of the meeting - Dark Festival
Below you can read the summary of all parts of the Academic workshop meeting of September 22, 2023.
Authors: Hidde Zweekhorst, Sem Apon, Judith Nijman, Thanaphat Sangkharom & Jacob Zakrzewicz (AMS MADE workgroup Light reduction)
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Article
Declaration of intentions ARTIS – City of Amsterdam (in Dutch)
Below you can watch a fragment of the last part of the academic workshop Urban Ecology and Biobased Solutions. The workshop took place at the ARTIS Planetarium. There, they first experienced complete darkness, after which attendees were asked to illuminate the room with their mobile phones. Due to the available light, there was hardly any starry sky visible on the Planetarium dome; just like in real life.
Below you can watch an excerpt from Milo Grootjen's presentation. Turning off the lights in the city is not an easy task and requires many conversations with residents and administrators. But the perceived importance is growing and the final call is: Share the story about the importance of darkness and help.
Savitri Groag, the sustainability manager of ARTIS, shared ARTIS's ambition to be a completely dark park in the middle of an urban environment. This has a positive effect on the animals and plants living in ARTIS, on biodiversity recovery and also on the energy bill.Presentation by Titia Ex on September 22, 2023 during the Academic workshop Urban Ecology and Biobased Solutions, as a kick-off of the Dark Festival.
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Article
Ambitions of the City of Amsterdam regarding Light/Darkness
Below you can watch the presentation by Elsemieke Koole, the Darkness Manager of the City of Amsterdam. She works on making the city darker, and mainly focuses on light pollution caused by street lighting, but she also mentioned that private parties cause a large part of this light pollution.
With the necessity in mind, a nine-point plan has been set up to formulate, activate and enforce darkness policy of the City of Amsterdam. An important step is to work with city residents, companies and authorities and increase knowledge and awareness about light pollution, in order to reduce all sources of light pollution. There will also be a point where you can request less light.The recording was made on the 22nd of September 2023 during the Academic workshop Urban Ecology and Biobased Solutions, as the Dark Festival kick-off.
Presentation slides