In Olomouc, lamps were tested due to the replacement at Horní náměstí

HŠH Architects, Modifications of Horní náměstí in Olomouc, competition 1995, realization 1998 - 2001, photo Ester Havlová

Olomouc - The leadership of the Olomouc City Council, along with experts, tested the brightness of the lamps in the historical center of the city at night. The reason is that the city wants to replace the existing lighting in Horní náměstí by the end of summer. The current lamps are inadequate and have been criticized for years. The city compared their light intensity with the fixtures from Philips Urbanstar, which are already installed on the connection between Horní and Dolní náměstí. However, these do not please the heritage protectors.
During the light test, two poles of the existing Thorn public lighting fixtures were turned off, and two Philips Urbanstar poles were turned on. "We do not yet have the measurement results, but we consulted with an expert who took the light readings. The amount of light from the new lamps was about double; they definitely shone more than the existing ones. The light distribution was even, and its temperature was more pleasant and comfortable," said the mayor of Olomouc, Martin Major (ODS), to ČTK. The city leadership should have the measurement results available at the next council meeting.
The new Philips Urbanstar lighting should be placed on poles 5.3 meters high. The council members also commissioned a study of its luminosity and agreed to prepare two project documents. The first includes the replacement of the existing 34 Thorn fixtures with Urbanstar fixtures, while the second addresses the addition of four lamps at each façade of the town hall.
The City Council's intention to install Philips lamps is not supported by the National Heritage Institute. Its representatives claim that the replacement will not bring increased light comfort and will devalue the architectural solution. According to them, the Philips lamps would be placed in an inappropriate part of Horní náměstí and their light would disrupt the view of the town hall. Even the architects who prepared the Horní náměstí reconstruction project in the 1990s do not agree with the installation of these fixtures.
Thirteen years ago, the City Council paid nine million crowns for thirty Thorn lamps. Problems with the lighting in Horní náměstí have existed since its reconstruction. For years, the lamps have been criticized due to a lack of light in many places in the square. The weak light in the square during the trial operation in March 2001 even blinded the security cameras for the guards, and the council had to purchase new ones.