FOR A SUSTAINABLE LIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE IN SÃO PAULO STATE: AN ANALYSIS ALONG THE ESTRADA DOS ROMEIROS

Abstract

During recent decades, urban societies have been considerably increasing luminance levels at night, diminishing the darkness period. So, if in some places artificial lighting is an inevitable need, other situations – such as environmental preservation areas – that source of energy must be detailed implemented. However, its application does not present always aesthetic, efficiency and sustainability standards that respect the human being, environment and built heritage.

Thus, this article begins by exploring the theme of artificial light focusing the relevant issues in current urban societies. Then, it is presented a brief historical overview of the beginnings of street lighting in the São Paulo City and subsequent expansion into the State of São Paulo countryside. That region recognized significant development in the early 20th century with the coffee industry, which unleashed consequently the construction of railways and hydroelectric power plants. The progress of electric lighting also appeared at the time but its development could not follow the rapid urban and demographic expansions which have not stopped since then.

By a night observation, it was elected as object of study of the ancient Estrada dos Romeiros¹ (Pilgrim’s Road) and four cities of São Paulo State countryside – Santana de Parnaíba, Pirapora do Bom Jesus, Cabreúva and Itú – which are linked by that route and belong to two touristic itineraries: Caminho do Sol (Sun Path) and Roteiro dos Bandeirantes² (Bandeirantes’ Route). Starting from the satellite view, the macro scale, up to the approximate “in situ” analysis of mentioned urban sites and routes of union, this article characterizes the situation of the corresponding public lighting and main deficiencies existing nowadays at that region of São Paulo State countryside.

Concluding, it is proposed measures which certainly would represent an economic, social, environmental and cultural progress for the current situation of street lighting in those cities and others.

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¹ The road is so named because it is a traditional pilgrimage route of pilgrims coming from São Paulo City and the Countryside to Pirapora do Bom Jesus, usually by horses, buggies or carts.

² Bandeirantes were the members of colonial exploratory expeditions.