Regeneration of Place Reine Astrid
Urban lighting creates safer, more engaging and healthier city centre for the community and businesses in Visé
The regeneration of Place Reine Astrid in Visé has reclaimed a space previously dominated by cars, creating a safe, welcoming and multifunctional area for residents and visitors. This transformation was driven by the city's vision to:
- increase social cohesion to improve the quality of life of its residents;
- revitalise the city centre to support and enhance the local economy;
- respond to the challenges facing cities to build a more sustainable future.
Regenerate the city centre by day and by night
Bruum Architects, who were commissioned to renovate the square, were inspired to create a contemporary space that would be a modern and welcoming public realm.
Place Reine Astrid is actually two different squares separated by a road. The larger, rectangular square regularly hosts community events and serves as a meeting place. The smaller square is more for leisure and relaxation and is home to the Tourist Office’s information point. To extend the use of these spaces at night and ensure safety, Schréder’s FLEXIA TOP luminaire and SHUFFLE smart pole were chosen.
The different characteristics of each square required a different lighting concept. The FLEXIA TOP luminaire with an asymmetric light distribution was installed on the terraces of the main square. This photometric distribution directs a forward light flux onto the road between the squares, while a backward flux lights the pavements, ensuring optimum visibility for drivers and pedestrians.
The smaller square is lit by the FLEXIA TOP Mini with an symmetrical light distribution that diffuses a highly uniform light across the whole square, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Lighting that adapts to change the nocturnal ambiance
The local authorities wanted Place Reine Astrid to become a vibrant hub for the community. They wanted to be able to change the night-time atmosphere of the square according to the different seasons and/or events. The FLEXIA TOP luminaires are equipped with our FlexiWhite system, which adjusts the colour temperature of the light according to the time of day, season or event. They incorporate both very warm white (2,200K) and warm white (3,000K) LEDs, allowing the colour temperature and therefore the ambiance to change.
For example, a very warm white light could create a cosy atmosphere in winter, while a cooler, warm white could generate a more refreshing summer ambiance. The two can also be mixed.
Partner(s)
Application(s)
A safe and engaging public realm: a priority
As the Council wants to attract more residents and tourists to the city centre, it is important that people feel safe to come out, whilst maintaining the welcoming atmosphere. In addition to the cameras installed on the facades, 2 SHUFFLE poles with integrated Quadview panoramic cameras were installed at the entrance to the square. Thanks to their 360° view, these cameras provide complete surveillance of the public realm, including the square, pedestrian areas and road.
In addition to the SHUFFLE's LED light modules, which increase the level of light in the square to enhance the sense of security, it also features an RGB light ring for a festive touch at night. Thanks to its modular design, the SHUFFLE also integrates a loudspeaker to broadcast music or messages. With all the different functions housed in a refined column, the square remains an open space.
Centralised lighting control makes managing easy
The FlexiWhite system in the FLEXIA TOP luminaires is controlled via DALI protocol while the SHUFFLE light ring, the SCULPLINE floodlights illuminating the post office and the other RGB luminaires on the square are controlled via DMX. The council wanted to control all the luminaires with a single system. Thanks to our expertise in lighting management, we were able to integrate them all into one easy-to-use platform.
As the local authorities wanted to adapt the lighting, including colours and intensities, to suit the events taking place, they asked us to configure, address and programme different scenarios. We were happy to set up a number of pre-programmed scenarios that met their expectations and could be easily changed by the staff at the Collège Communal's request.
What's exciting about our job is that, despite the technical challenges, we are able to translate the customer's expectations for lighting ambiance into flexible lighting scenarios with an intuitive solution.
