Sotto le Stelle - Light pollution: Services

Sotto le Stelle supports governments, companies and citizens that wish to reduce light nuisance.

In the absence of regulations it is difficult for local governments to restrict light. With the help of maps, modelling and measurements Sotto records the current situation and thereby clarifies the problem. Sotto’s assistance enables governments to change their policies, apply local regulations or change their own lighting.

Companies that want to diminish their own light output out of respect for the environment or to decrease the level of light nuisance for their neighbours, can also approach Sotto.

Sotto gives regular presentations at conferences and meetings.

Terrains
Sotto le Stelle distinguishes three terrains of light nuisance:

Direct nuisance
Neighbors experience nuisance from a sports field or advertisement. They cannot walk their gardens because of the glare of the light or have to keep their curtains closed all the time.
Sotto’s solution

Horizon pollution
On the Dutch horizon, street lighting or towns are always visible. In excess this affects the landscape at night. Visual cluttering of the landscape also exits at night.
Sotto’s solution

Lightpolution
A haze of light envelops the Netherlands (Light Pollution). As a result darkness diminishes and stars become invisible. Most Dutch people have never seen the Milky Way.
Sotto’s solution

Method
Sotto works mostly in this way:

Phase 1: Knowledge gathering
Sotto measures, models and makes inventories. These are presented in the form of maps, data or pictures.

Phase 2: Advice
On the basis of these maps and data Sotto suggests ways to improve the situation

Phase 3: Presentation of results
The results are presented to the client and other participants. The presentation can also be made at the beginning of the investigation to inform all the participants.

Assignments
Provinces: Gelderland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Overijssel en Zuid-Holland
Municipalities: Amsterdam, Hengelo, Volendam,'s-Hertogenbosch, Schouwen Duiveland

Sotto le Stelle,