An Assessment of User Preferences on Artificial Pathway Lighting in Urban Parks with Special Reference to the Greater Colombo Region

Being a globally immerging concept, urban parks play critical role in converting cities to liveable spaces, where artificial lighting directly affects the users’ night-time experience. Therefore, addressing user needs and preferences helps achieve successful design. This study was conducted at four popular Colombo: Viharamahadevi Park, Independence Square, Urban Wetland Park Diyatha Uyana, park subjective responses towards three parameters: brightness, Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT), luminaires of existing pathway design, selected based on appropriateness terms lighting, practicality assessing them within chosen parks, were evaluated. The reasons for said investigated under overarching themes: perceived safety, quality light, restorative Data collection done through mixed methods approach two main steps, namely literature review survey case survey. A sample 10 participants (5 males 5 females) each location convenience sampling. Questionnaires given users rate their preference conditions scale from 1 (very unsatisfied) satisfied). analysed together with brightness levels measured using digital lux meter, in-situ observations photographic analysis behavioural patterns locations, so as further strengthen outcomes. Aligned literature, found be associated perception lit environment. results revealed that majority opted change current although they both negatively positively affected by it, indicating requirements are not effectively addressed this regard.
 Keywords: User preference, Artificial Pathway