Lighting as a Placemaking tool for a Historic Urban Market Promenade

Abstract: As we move forward in time, our cities are meant to be progressive, which should ideally prioritize its pedestrians and make spaces inclusive to all socio-economic groups. On the contrary, observation tells that some of our cities get designed with an “orthodox” approach by keeping in mind the interests of motorways with high mast blue-rich LED luminaires. Such a system does not allow pedestrian-oriented activities, such as Farmer’s markets, Food Streets, Public Plazas, etc., to thrive and leaves smaller streets where such activities happen in darkness or with unplanned, quick fix lighting.While darkness is good for the environmental benefit of light pollution, certain parts of our cities need to be lit the right way for the apt functioning of the urban realm.Based on the placemaking concept by urban activists/journalists and sociologists such as Jane Jacobs and William H Whyte there are 4 attributes to making a place great. The place diagram represents the four attributes: access and linkages, comfort and image, uses and activities, and scalability. The study utilizes the Place Diagram as a basis for the analysis and design of the lighting of the Russell Market Promenade site in Bangalore.The design proposal will focus on the various user groups of the space and the creative pattern of space use. The assessment of the lighting proposal is by the users of the space, architects, lighting designers, and pedestrians in the area.