The Atlas of Lighting Project has started by developing an index of US metro areas by analyzing their economic, geographic and infrastructural profiles. The selection process was designed to ensure a geographically diverse and economically vibrant set of US metro areas to best represent the variation of urbanized areas in the country. The atlas will allow us to understand regional social and economic patterns in which lighting relates to the social public good. Furthermore, the research is currently interested in finding ways to measure social interactions in cities and defining areas of non-interaction for possible intervention areas for lighting projects. In order to identify these areas, we started using computational methods to look at various factors that can help us understand the relationship between business and human activity in urban spaces. By working with datasets from various location-based social networks like Instagram and Google Places, we are looking for areas of overlap to produce a comparative analysis of these different metro areas. The research sets to depict the social value of creating vibrant public spaces by investigating their unique rhythms and economic vitalities.
Atlas of Lighting is a joint project between Philips, MIT Center for Advanced Urbanism and MIT Civic Data Design Lab that responds to the need for an integrated and scientific understanding of the dynamics of metropolitan areas around the world. It is an interactive mapping tool in which the user can combine, isolate or cross-reference both quantitative and qualitative datasets to get a clear view of how cities operate. The tool has a potential to create the first comprehensive city dashboard anywhere that digital data exist. While it can be used by researchers and practitioners to identify and analyze socio-spatial processes, it can also be an engagement tool with public and open up new possibilities for participation.
