Illuminating public spaces : The impact of lighting on café environments and urban attractiveness

Introduction – This thesis explores how lighting influences experiences in public environments, with a specific focus on café settings. The purpose was to investigate how lighting characteristics such as light level, light distribution, and light color affect the perception of comfort, social interaction, and the attractiveness of cafés in city centers. Method – The study was conducted as a multiple case study involving four cafés in Jönköping. Data was collected through a survey and unstructured observations. Results – A total of 40 respondents completed the survey, the majority of whom were women. The results showed that cafés with low lighting levels and warm light colors were perceived as more pleasant, private, and relaxing. The overall sense of comfort was generally high across all cafés, and the results indicate that 45% believe that cafés are very important for the experience of an attractive city center. Analysis – Overall, the findings show that the lighting atmosphere had a positive effect on visitors' experience of both comfort and social interaction across all cafés. The most prominent findings were related to light level and light color. Observations supported the survey results by showing that guests tended to choose more secluded and atmospherically lit seating areas. Discussion – The study confirms previous research on how lighting influences the perception and emotional response to an environment. It also became evident that lighting, in combination with other factors such as interior design, noise level, and product offering, contributes to an overall experience. One factor does not exclude the other. Future research is recommended to include interviews or structured observations to gain deeper insights