Street Lighting in Brazilian Cities: From Comfort to Safety at Nighttime

Objective: The objective of this work is to carry out a qualitative literature review, with the aim of exploring the multidisciplinary nature of the topic discussed here. Bibliographic exploration was consulted in order to establish a historical narrative regarding the impact of the emergence of public lighting in Brazilian cities. It is also the intention to raise the discussion regarding the multifactors that public lighting can address in improving the lives of those who enjoy the city at night. This context, which presents itself as a fruit of human development, raises the need for work, since progress should not negatively affect the reality, health and sociability of the human species. As a secondary objective, the proposal arises to raise the collective notion of the importance of establishing administrative and technical efforts, so that Brazilian cities remain sufficiently illuminated during the night, since the technological development of lighting resources is constantly updated. Such understanding is fundamental to enhancing the role of urban settlements in the lives of the citizens who live there and have, at night, the possibility of leisure, work and sociability. As a consequence, an improvement in the safety, health and well-being of the population can be achieved. Theoretical Framework: The primary database used in the development of this study was the analysis of historical and technical data on the implementation of the public lighting system in Brazil, as well as its benefits, obtained from the bibliography of authors capable of discussing the subject. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises the process of integrative bibliographic review, with the objective of fostering the multidisciplinary nature of the topic regarding public lighting in Brazilian cities. Data collection was carried out through the exploration of digital academic databases. Results and Discussion: The results obtained reinforced the crucial role of public lighting for the well-being of the population. Furthermore, they revealed that the central subject explored in the research demands a broad and integrated study, given the complexity of its nature. Public lighting in Brazilian cities needs to be analyzed from the perspective of various fields of knowledge. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights on how the results can be applied or influence practices in the fields of electrical engineering, urban planning, statistics, architecture, public administration, and the joint work between these fields. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by presenting an innovative, theoretical and integrative essay on the topic of public lighting in Brazilian cities. The work also acts as a promoter for future studies that seek to unite in a complex way the multifactors treated, and, possibly, factors external to the topic.