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New rules for urban lighting management

Writer: Zhang Yu  | Editor: Lily A  | From:  | Updated: 2018-07-27

In a bid to improve the urban lighting environment and promote energy conservation, Shenzhen is planning to implement a new set of regulations on urban lighting management Aug. 1, the Shenzhen Economic Daily reported Thursday.

The current regulations, which took effect March 3, 1997, will be repealed simultaneously.

According to the new rules, urban lighting includes functional lighting and landscape lighting. Before an urban lighting plan is submitted for approval, the urban planning authorities solicit public opinions and suggestions through hearings and panel discussions.

An energy conservation plan should be formulated in order to strictly control the range, brightness and energy consumption density of landscape lighting. In addition, key areas like landmarks, landscape corridors and main roads should have landscape lighting facilities installed.

It is stipulated that three types of areas should be equipped with functional lighting facilities. The first category includes urban roads, bridges, tunnels, pedestrian crossings and greenways. The second includes housing estates, urban villages, squares, parks, public green spaces, scenic spots and public parking lots. The third covers public places that lack functional lighting facilities and pose potential safety risks.

According to the rules, landscape lighting installed at public facilities and housing estates using government funds shall be maintained and managed by the authorities. The expenses shall be covered by fiscal funds.

For landscape lighting facilities installed on commercial buildings using government funds, the authorities can entrust the owners of the buildings with maintenance and management, and should subsidize the maintenance and electricity bills accordingly.

It is also stipulated that if a road lighting facility is out of order, the maintenance and management department should repair it immediately. A simple breakdown should be processed within 24 hours, while a complex one should be dealt with within three days.

The new rules also require that the authorities publicize a 24-hour complaint hotline and carry out a prompt investigation after receiving a complaint.