KW-RASC general meeting
January 14 2011
The KW RASC meeting held January 14th had a special guest do a
presentation for the club. The presentation slides are available here.
There was a good turnout of club members from Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph and as far as Owen Sound, along with a few residents of Waterloo interested in more information on the Ira Needles megamall due to recent concerns in the news about the complexes illumination levels and skyglow footprint, signage and impact on surrounding residential areas.
Mr. Mounsey presented attendees with some excellent insight into how urban development is approached along with the necessary phases and plans utilized in determining how such aspects are arrived at such as exterior lighting. He also took note of much input from our members for both concerns and possible means to find equitable solutions on those concerns.
There was also valuable information on the types of lighting used throughout the city and within the Ira Needles megamall.
There were many questions presented to Mr. Mounsey on various aspects of urban development. Many of which focused on artificial lighting levels, mechanisms to control stray light, migratory wildlife impacts and the need to find solutions and balance for all concerns.
Mr. Mounsey's presentation concluded with an upbeat feeling that light pollution is of concern to the City of Waterloo and steps are being taken, albeit slowly, to control and reduce the problem for everyone's benefit.
A copy of Waterloo's Urban Design Manual (which Mr. Mounsey wrote), the section covering artificial lighting, will be posted on the KW RASC website in PDF for download. In addition, Mr. Mounsey's power point presentation will also be made available on the club's website for those who weren't able attend.
Shawn Nielsen
Light Abatement Committee
KW RASC
Ryan Mounsey, Development Planner/Urban Designer with the City of Waterloo speaks at the KW RASC:
