Street lighting in Brussels: from candles to connected LEDs

Like other major cities, Brussels is constantly investing in its street lighting system. Over the last few years, urban lighting has undergone spectacular development, with one core aim: better, smarter lighting. Today, almost 90,000 luminaires light up the night time throughout the Brussels region.

Table of Contents

• The origins of urban lighting
• The new challenges of street lighting
• The street lighting of tomorrow: smart LEDs
• Biodiversity and light pollution
• Efficient use of urban space
• Showcasing of heritage
• Sibelga, guardian of light

The origins of urban lighting

From the very beginnings of street lighting, over 3 centuries ago, the aim was to make streets brighter and safer.

Over time, our cities have densified and the number of cars has increased. New requirements have emerged, such as improved road safety and the illumination of shops and monuments.

The new challenges of street lighting

In recent years, lighting has evolved towards a more uniform and pleasant light. Lamps have become less powerful but more numerous, and are directed towards the ground to minimise disturbances on façades.

At a time of climate change and the energy transition, new challenges are emerging:

• Moderating energy consumption;
• Protecting the environment;
• Reducing light pollution.

That's why old-fashioned lamps are now giving way to LED technologies, which offer more compact, more aesthetic and more energy-efficient devices. And above all, they're essential for smart lighting!

The street lighting of tomorrow: smart LEDs

At the start of 2024, almost 17,000 bulbs have already been replaced with smart LEDs, representing 20% of the 90,000 luminaires in Brussels. The objective for 2030 is for 100% of our street lights to use connected LEDs!

Smart street lighting improves the quality of life of all Brussels residents. Able to be controlled remotely and to communicate in real time on their operating status, smart luminaires have many advantages.

• Energy savings of 35% by 2035.
• Reduced disturbance, thanks to dimming.
• Quicker resolution of failures.

Biodiversity and light pollution

Although essential for residents, artificial lighting at night can be harmful to flora and fauna, which are already vulnerable in urban areas. It is therefore necessary to find the right balance between the need for lighting and respect for the environment.

For several years now, pilot projects such as the Bat Light District in Jette have been underway to reduce the impact of lighting on biodiversity. Avenue du Sacré-Cœur has recently been fitted with orange LED lighting. This is a softer light, better suited to the nocturnal life of bats, which are present in large numbers in this area.

Sibelga is also experimenting with the installation of light bubbles to reduce light pollution. Using sensors incorporated into the lamp posts, the lighting of the luminaires can be intensified or reduced according to the passage of pedestrians or cyclists.

Efficient use of urban space

Urban space is limited, and it's essential to use it as efficiently as possible, so we're optimising the use of our lamp posts by sharing them with other stakeholders. For example, for the installation of public WiFi or air pollution sensors. 

We are also testing the integration of electric charging stations on lamp posts, and the addition of luminaires on catenary poles on the new tram 10 route.

Showcasing of heritage

In collaboration with the municipalities, Sibelga also contributes its expertise to the lighting of several public buildings.

Since 2021, we've been working with Urban Brussels on the lighting of several listed Art Nouveau buildings, including the Hannon House, the Hôtel Van Eetvelde, the Cauchie House, the Victor Horta Museum and the buildings surrounding the Place Royale.