Examining the application of the new energy building regulation concerning lighting of parks and building facades in Greece and Cyprus

¹ Hellenic Open University, School of Applied Arts and Sustainable Design, Parodos Aristotelous 18, Patras, Greece
² University of Thessaly, Department of Architecture, Pedion Areos, 38334 Volos, Greece
³ University of Thessaly, Department of Economics, Pedion Areos, 38221 Volos, Greece

^* Corresponding author: doulos@eap.gr

Abstract

Compliance with standards and regulations is an important and integral part of lighting design projects. However, many lighting designers do not take always into consideration compliance with norms. A new Greek regulation concerning lighting, Technical Instructions of the Technical Chamber of Greece 20701-7/2021 as part of the new Greek Energy Building Regulation, has been released. The Greek Energy Building Regulation takes into account also the ASHRAE standard 90.1 “Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings”. However, the awareness of constructors, lighting designers and lighting experts is low. The scientific community has shown great interest the last years in the subject of light pollution in relation to outdoor urban lighting. Based on the available literature, the importance and the need for of setting regulations related to outdoor lighting is evident. Efforts have been made worldwide in order to minimize the negative environmental effects and the impact on humans caused by improper outdoor lighting installations. The current research focuses on the case of Greece and Cyprus. Online questionnaires have been used as a tool of assessing the current situation in these two countries regarding outdoor lighting design and the application of relevant standards and norms, especially in the case of parks and building facades.