Montréal's nocturnal urban landscape hides many treasures worth enhancing and many areas where the lighting should be reviewed because of deficient or excess lighting. The expression of Montréal's identity is also achieved through numerous different lighting schemes, whether it be for the utilitarian lighting of the road network and various urban activities, advertisements that glow at night, the lighting of monuments and buildings or ambiance lighting.

The uncontrolled increase in urban lighting has generated a growing problem of light pollution. This recently-recognized source of pollution entails wasteful and costly overconsumption of energy and an unwanted intrusion of light in living environments. Moreover, it effectively veils the night sky, which makes astronomy and stargazing very difficult even well beyond the metropolitan region.

Integrated planning is therefore required to harmonize the functional, safety and aesthetic concerns associated with urban lighting, while ensuring the quality of living environments and reducing power consumption.

Better use of light will also help the City and its boroughs express an evocative night signature, both unifying and distinctive, which will ensure:

• The enhancement of buildings and sites of architectural, historical, or natural interest;
• The highlighting of important buildings and facilities;
• The creation of distinctive atmosphere in keeping with the local surroundings;
• The safety of the public realm through adequate lighting;
• Better guidance for users of the road network and public spaces: drivers or pedestrians, residents or tourists.

In this regard, the recent implementation of the Plan lumière du Vieux-Montréal (Old Montréal Lighting Plan) is an eloquent example of architectural highlighting and of a functional street lighting review that can be extended to other areas of the City.

Implementation measures

• Develop and implement the Plan lumière de Montréal (Montréal Lighting Plan) by defining the overall lighting concept and goals as well as pilot lighting projects on public property or in partnership with the private sector.
• Ensure an appropriate regulatory framework for exterior lighting, targeting lighting levels, lighting devices, light dispersion and the time periods of lighting, particularly in commercial, industrial and institutional activity areas.
• Develop an urban lighting guide that sets general principles, design criteria and lighting standards aimed at reducing light pollution, harmonizing certain lighting practices and facilitating interventions in public lighting with respect to the individual character of the City's boroughs.