There are several strategies that landscape architects can use to design landscapes that mitigate the effects of light pollution:
1. Use Dark-Sky Compliant Lighting: Design lighting that is low in intensity and is directed downwards to prevent light from shining up into the sky. This can help to reduce the amount of artificial light that is dispersed into the environment.
2. Screening: Introduce elements such as hedges, trees, and screens to block or diffuse the light and minimize the lighting spill.
3. Sensible Use of Lights: Use lights only in the spaces where they are needed. For example, a spotlight to highlight a specific landscape element or directional lighting for pathway.
4. Minimizing Artificial Light: Incorporate plants and other features that reflect and direct natural light to increase the presence of proper illumination during nighttime.
5. Consider Light Pollution in Design: Design landscapes with an emphasis on the natural environment. In addition to minimizing light pollution, consider also the wildlife and night-time ecological systems.
6. Low Emitting Luminaries: Use light fixtures that are energy-efficient and avoid designs that create a lot of upward light.
By implementing these strategies, landscape architects can design landscapes that are not just visually pleasing but that also benefit the environment.
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