Prague has the first “Singaporean” lamps: They grow plants and form an umbrella
When one walks through hot concrete Prague, one wonders why there aren’t more trees in the street. Although they cannot be planted everywhere due to the technical networks below the surface, the municipality decided to use two prototype lamps, miniature city lights in Singapore. Unique green lamps have become part of the lighting in Prague 6, one grew near the exit of the Hradčanská subway, the other replaced the old public lighting pole in Dejvická Street.
European unique
“They say it’s darkest under the lamp. In the 21st century, this is no longer the case. Under this lamp there will be not only light, but at the same time it will become a place of rest and in connection with climate change, also a place that will partially cool down without the surroundings,” describes property councilor Jan Chabr (TOP 09). Similar lighting has been used by Singapore for a long time.
“Together with THMP, we noted trends that are emerging in Europe, and colleagues from Prague brought an idea which currently also works in Germany,” Jan Chabr tells Bleska.
Technology is currently located on the project, both the municipal company of the capital city of Prague, which financed the project, and the Prague City Hall 6. The price of both green lamps was about half a million crowns. It is a steel structure with a load capacity of around 250 kilograms. It reaches a height of 5 meters. It is equipped with two led lights,” describes Tomáš Novotný, deputy chairman of the board of THMP.
Where a tree cannot be planted, a lamp is built
The first planted lamp provides refuge to the people of Prague at the railway crossing near the Hradčanská subway exit, the second in Dejvická Street. The locations were chosen because it is very complicated or almost impossible to plant trees in these places. “However, the goal is not to replace living trees, but to place greenery where it would not be possible otherwise,” Martina Kaňáková from Prague 6. The costs of maintaining the greenery will be within hundreds of crowns per month.
The green lamp in Dejvická Street replaced the original city lighting mast. Thanks to LED fluorescent lamps, it saves up to 50 percent of energy compared to the original lamp and provides a pleasant place to sit, which is missing in the street. Another steel umbrella at the railway crossing will be equipped with a siphon, which should start working next summer after being connected to the water supply system.
Community berries?
the climbing plants do not yet reach higher, the iron wires forming the roof are not overgrown, but in a year the greenery should already have grown five meters and provide pleasant shade for pedestrians and those lounging on the benches. The town hall promises that the lamp will bring the same comfort to the street as a tree. Climbing plants were grown by the Czech University of Agriculture. Five species have been selected that will stay green all year round, some will even have edible berries, such as grape vines.
Green lamp in Dejvická Street. Jan Dařílek
Green lamp at the Hradčanská metro stop.
Author: Technology hl. m of Prague