Improving the quality of urban lighting.

(VLO) Urban lighting not only helps illuminate urban spaces at night, facilitating travel, but also promotes commercial and service development, contributes to ensuring security and order, and defines the unique identity of the city…

The lighting systems in the cities of Vinh Long are regularly upgraded and maintained.

In Dong Thuan ward (Binh Minh town), Mr. Tran Van Thanh said: “I have lived here for decades, and I am very happy to see the ward's appearance has changed so much. The roads have been upgraded and widened. In particular, the infrastructure and artistic lighting have been invested in, making it more convenient for people to travel and shop.”

According to the People's Committee of Dong Thuan Ward, the ward recently received investment for the installation of an artistic lighting system along Luu Nhon Sam Street and at the IC2 intersection (worth over 8 billion VND), contributing to changing the ward's appearance towards a brighter, greener, cleaner, and more beautiful direction.

At the same time, a traffic signal system has been installed at the IC2 intersection, thereby contributing to ensuring traffic safety and order.

According to the Urban Management Department of Binh Minh Town, the IC2-QL54 intersection with the Can Tho Bridge access road was decorated with artistic flower lights using funds from social contributions in August 2023.

Currently, Vinh Long province has 8 urban areas. In recent times, the security system in these urban areas has received attention and investment for upgrading, regular maintenance, and repair to serve public needs, enhance aesthetics, promote socio-economic development, and contribute to ensuring security and order.

Accordingly, the main roads within Vinh Long City (Type II urban area), Binh Minh Town (Type III urban area), and the towns (Type V urban area) have all been "illuminated"; some main routes have been fitted with artistic lighting.

The investment and upgrading of streetlights and decorative lighting systems prioritize energy saving, following a green and sustainable development approach. Simultaneously, attention is paid to creating unique "highlights" and a distinct identity.

However, in urban areas, there are still many sections of roads, alleys, and public spaces (such as parks, embankments, etc.) that have not been equipped with streetlights, or have been equipped but the quality of the lighting is not guaranteed.

Therefore, it is necessary to focus on investing in a comprehensive manner, improving quality, and contributing to facilitating travel, physical training, and enhancing the quality of life for the people.

According to statistics from the Department of Urban Development, there are currently about 904 urban areas nationwide. Along with the development of these urban areas, urban infrastructure plays a crucial and essential role in the development of the urban technical infrastructure system.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhu Van, an expert in energy efficiency and databases, the CS system in type I, II, and III cities has achieved over 90% coverage; type IV and V cities have reached approximately 80%.

"Illuminating" the city promotes the development of trade and services...

However, the average rate of street lighting in urban areas remains low due to a lack of specific planning and development strategies. The street lighting system has not received adequate attention, with fragmented and spontaneous investment, thus failing to effectively contribute to traffic safety, regional security, and facilitate commerce and daily life for residents. In particular, the rate of LED street lighting usage in urban areas is still low compared to the set targets.

According to Mr. Duong Chi Cong, an energy efficiency expert, currently only three cities nationwide – Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Can Tho – have developed urban infrastructure plans.

The lack of planning in the urban lighting system leads to difficulties in controlling private lighting, light pollution, and energy waste. In addition, localities lack specific mechanisms and policies to attract investment capital from the private sector.

According to Ms. Dang Anh Thu, Deputy Director of the Department of Technical Infrastructure (Ministry of Construction), in recent years, legal documents related to the management of urban infrastructure have focused on smart infrastructure and improving infrastructure efficiency and effectiveness, saving energy, etc.

Ministries and departments, especially the governments of urban areas, are very interested in investing in the construction, development, and effective exploitation of urban infrastructure systems. As a result, the quality of infrastructure systems in urban areas has seen significant improvements.

Public spaces, architectural structures, and advertising buildings have also been improved by the police force, contributing to enhancing the city's appearance.

However, to strongly promote the development of the smart home system, towards the common goals of energy saving and emission reduction, according to Ms. Dang Anh Thu, more mechanisms and policies are needed that are appropriate to new development needs; effective operational management and database management solutions for smart home systems, and the application of new technologies. In particular, greater cooperation and contributions from domestic and international organizations are required.

The government issued Decision No. 1874 on October 11, 2010, approving the Development Orientation for Vietnam's Electricity Infrastructure until 2025. Accordingly, the goal is to gradually modernize and improve the operational efficiency and quality of electricity infrastructure; innovate technology and utilize new and renewable energy sources in electricity infrastructure to save energy, contributing to the socio-economic development of the country and creating an image of Vietnam's electricity infrastructure that is distinctive, civilized, and modern.

In addition, continue to improve the quality of urban lighting, ensuring that 100% of traffic infrastructure, public spaces, and advertising in urban areas use high-efficiency, energy-saving lighting products; striving for 30-50% of projects using solar-powered lights to meet standards; and build public lighting control centers for urban areas of type III and type IV.

Text and photos: SONG HAU

Source: https://baovinhlong.vn/kinh-te/202407/nang-cao-chat-luong-chieu-sang-do-thi-3185012/