SHENZHEN will build a night sky protection demonstration zone in Dapeng New Area to allow citizens to enjoy starry skies after dark, as proposed in the Shenzhen urban lighting plan (from 2021 to 2035) released recently by the city’s urban management authority.

Shenzhen will become the country’s first city to include building a night sky protection zone in its urban lighting plan, which is based on both national space planning and urban lighting construction standards, according to Shenzhen Special Zone Daily.

A starry sky park will be built in Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory in Xichong, Dapeng, where residents can enjoy a series of special night activities such as starry sky observation and night photography. They can also do night camping in the park.

In addition, Shenzhen plans to build three bay areas (Qianhai Bay, Shenzhen Bay and Jiaoyi Bay) and five key areas with beautiful night views at the centers of Futian, Luohu, Houhai, Bao’an-Qianhai and Longhua.

It also plans to build three road axes with beautiful night scenes. The main road axis is from Bao’an Boulevard, Shennan Boulevard, Wenjin Road, Longgang Boulevard, Shenshan Road to Zhanqian Road.

Another planning spotlight is about tackling light pollution. The plan specifies that vertical lighting will be forbidden at areas including Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Zone, Hetao area, and Xiaomeisha’s coastal belt. Vertical lighting will also be banned on the walls of real estate compounds, hospitals and schools.

Lighting will be controlled from October to next May each year to protect migratory birds staying in the city.

At the same time, night public events such as light shows for major celebrations and an annual light festival (from December to next February) will be organized to enrich people’s daily life, according to the plan. (Wang Jingli)