Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta provides landscape lighting design, installation, and maintenance services for both residential and commercial clients in Marietta, GA, and the metro Atlanta area.
Metro Atlanta: Home to many colleges and universities
Digital magazine Discover Atlanta provides the following insightful statistics: “There are 57 colleges and universities in the Atlanta region. Atlanta is 7th in student enrollment among America’s largest urban areas and 6th in annual college graduates (at the bachelor’s level or higher). Atlanta is among the top seven urban centers in the number of degrees awarded in fields including engineering, computer sciences, math, physical, biological sciences, health professions, business, arts, and theology. Colleges and universities in the Atlanta region create 130,000 jobs across all industries in Georgia. Atlanta is a national leader in attracting college-educated 25 to 34-year-olds, according to the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.”
Is Atlanta a college town? The demographics point in that direction. Of the six million people who call Atlanta home, over 250,000 are college students.
Metro Atlanta is home to nationally acclaimed institutions of higher learning such as Morehouse College, Emory University, Clark Atlanta University, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Spelman College, Agnes Scott College, Art Institute of Atlanta, University of West Georgia, and Oglethorpe University.
Atlanta Universities: A unique identity and a common need
Each one of the nearly 60 schools in the metro Atlanta area has its own unique history and academic and cultural distinctiveness, but every school needs campus landscape lighting that is aesthetically pleasing, warm and inviting, visually inspiring, purposefully intentional, affordable, and sustainable. The lighting system must not exacerbate the growing problem of light pollution, which plagues many metropolitan areas around the United States.
Finally, in light of the recent uptick in campus violence, the landscape lighting system must enhance the safety and security of the campus population. By working in conjunction with the existing security operation, a well-designed landscape lighting system can contribute both pre-emptive and interventional dimensions to campus security. This ambitious, multi-faceted goal is achievable with the assistance of landscape lighting professionals who regularly design and install residential, commercial, and institutional landscape lighting systems. A competent lighting designer can satisfy design criteria without compromising aesthetics and without adding to light pollution. Space does not permit a full-orbed treatment of the practical application of LED low-voltage landscape lighting.
Liability issues stemming from inadequate campus landscape lighting
A trip-and-fall accident on poorly illuminated steps can result in expensive litigation and settlement. Multiple vulnerabilities in the lighting and security plan may potentially constitute systemic malfeasance on the part of administrators tasked with facility management. A proactive approach to landscape lighting as a tool to make the campus safer and more secure demonstrates that the administration believes safety and security are a top priority.
Off-campus landscape lighting issues and exposure
A downtown campus provides students with walking and mass transit access to many venues in the city. By partnering with businesses along pedestrian routes to these venues and mass transit connections, the university can enhance the safety and security of its students while in transit to off-campus, university-sponsored events. LED landscape lighting is an effective, affordable, and low-maintenance solution to improve the student experience while off-campus attending university-sponsored events.
Inculcating a culture of safety and security in the student body
The student handbook for most colleges and universities covers every imaginable facet of campus life, including exigencies. Creating a culture of awareness, readiness, and action takes the matter to a much higher level. Constant reminders on social media and other platforms are necessary and powerful in a digital world. Redundancy saves lives. Below are some practical steps to stay safe and confident while on campus and off.
- Travel in pairs.
- Post a travel itinerary with at least one trusted friend.
- Stay in well-lit areas while avoiding high-risk dark areas.
- Avoid daytime dark spaces such as alcoves, shadows, tunnels, and screens.
- Carry an LED flashlight at all times.
- Take measures to ensure personal safety at all times.
- Avoid being out late at night alone, whether on or off campus.
College administrators can encourage students to point out problem areas on campus and off. Encourage and reward solution-oriented comments. Social media makes reporting simple and quick.
Simple steps to improve campus safety and security with LED low-voltage landscape lighting
- Make a cursory assessment of existing risk hazards, including lighting issues.
- Schedule a consultation with a lighting professional from Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta, GA.
- Begin the process of making the campus brighter and safer.
- Maximize the existing landscape lighting potential.
- Convert to LED lighting technology. The technology’s energy consumption is about 20% of traditional halogen lighting, and LED bulbs last 25,000 to 40,000 hours.
- Recognize the liability of poor or inadequate landscape lighting and fast-track change.