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Bat friendly, Source: smartcitiesworld.net

Zuidhoek-Nieuwkoop, the first town in the world, to install bat-friendly lighting

Zuidhoek-Nieuwkoop, the first town in the world, to install bat-friendly lighting

Installation is part of an initiative in the town to build 89 new houses at the highest standards of sustainability

The town of Zuidhoek-Nieuwkoop in the Netherlands has installed bat-friendly street lights and with this became the first town in the world to use such smart LED street lights. The connected LED street lights, provided by Signify (formerly Philips Lighting), are designed specially to emit light that does not affect the natural senses and rhythms of rare bats species in the town. Developed by Signify, in collaboration with the University of Wageningen and additional NGOs active in this field of conservation, the new lights emit a red color and use a wavelength that doesn’t interfere with a bat’s internal compass.

Zuidhoek-Nieuwkoop is home to many rare and vulnerable animal and plant species. The town and its surrounding area is part of the Natura 2000, a network of nature protection areas across Europe comprised of breeding and nesting sites for rare and threatened species. According to Signify, the lighting installation uses a special light “recipe” that is perceived by bats as complete darkness. Yet it provides enough illumination for residents, helping to make the roads and pavements safer, while being highly energy-efficient and mitigating the impact on the bat population.

Source: Smart Cities World

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