The Viskans park – a new initiative for the benefit of animals, people, and nature

Viskan Park is an urban development program aimed at creating a cohesive park stretching from southern Borås through the city center to the northern parts. One of the project’s focus areas is the new pedestrian path leading from Göta to Fredriksborg School, where lighting plays a crucial role in creating a safe and inviting passage.

Challenges and conditions

When the City of Borås began planning the lighting, they realized that the area was very dark and surrounded by sensitive nature.

– We suspected that the natural area was rich in birds, bats, frogs, and fish – species that are all affected by light. Therefore, we hired a consultancy firm to develop a lighting solution that considered both human and wildlife needs, says Gustav Axell, landscape engineer at the City of Borås’s technical administration.

After an analysis, two key parameters were identified: the color temperature of the light and the timing aspects of the lighting.

The complete lighting solution

– While waiting for delivery, we installed temporary poles with standard lighting that produced a completely different kind of light. The final lighting solution consists of 28 fixtures from iGuzzini, featuring shorter poles and shields to direct the light where needed and to avoid upward light dispersion and light pollution, he explains.

The lighting now has a warm, orange tone that mimics natural light and creates a pleasant atmosphere.

– On the footbridge, we’ve placed small spotlights in the handrail whose light does not reach the water, which is important for protecting wildlife.

Motion-controlled sensors are interconnected, ensuring that the lighting only brightens when someone moves in the area. When no one is there, the light dims down to 20% but increases to 80% when motion is detected – and already 100 meters ahead of the pedestrian to create a sense of safety.

– This solution minimizes unnecessary light pollution and energy consumption while providing security and visibility, Gustav continues.

A red stone dust surface was chosen for the pedestrian path as an adaptation to the natural surroundings. – The darker surface minimizes light reflections and provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance. In the adjacent forest area, where there is no surrounding lighting, we plan to install an additional 30 fixtures with Citygrid as the control system.

Results and future plans

The goal of the project has been to create a safe and inviting pedestrian path year-round, especially considering the new residential developments planned in the area.

– The pedestrian path is expected to become an important connection to the school, so it was crucial that the lighting was adapted for both safety and comfort, he says.

The long-range illumination of the motion sensors – where fixtures light up 100 meters ahead when movement is detected – contributes to an experience where one never feels surprised by sudden changes in lighting.

– We are pleased with the results and the flexibility provided by the ability to dim and adjust the lighting. To follow up on the project, we plan to conduct a survey and put up information signs in the area. So far, we haven’t received any negative feedback from residents, Gustav concludes.

The project began at the turn of the year 2023/2024 and was completed in December 2024. The project lasted approximately one year.