MedSkyTour – Interreg Euro-MED – Co-funded by the European Union
Good practice Slovenia · Gorenjska Partner: BSC Kranj Park lighting retrofit

Smart lighting in Ceconi Park, Bohinjska Bistrica

The Municipality of Bohinj completely renewed the lighting of a small central park near Triglav National Park: old, glaring fixtures were replaced with LED luminaires that light only paths and key features and dim in the late evening.

20

new LED light points: 12 path lights, 5 accent lights, 1 LED strip, 2 water-feature lights

ULOR 0

no light emitted above the horizontal

Dimming

lower light levels in the late evening, with timers

2014–20

delivered within the CLLD programming period

The challenge

The park lighting was outdated, energy-inefficient and not compliant with Slovenia’s light pollution regulations. Fixtures caused glare for residents and lit façades and the sky instead of the paths.

What they did

Within the “Pametna razsvetljava / Smart lighting” operation, the park lighting was redesigned rather than replaced one-to-one.

  • Old, poorly directed fixtures removed
  • Fewer luminaires, with optics that direct light only onto paths and park features
  • LED path lights, accent lights, a pavilion LED strip and two water-feature lights
  • Timers that lower the light level later in the evening

Results

A calmer, less glaring park at night with safely lit paths, less light intruding into nearby homes and lower impact on insects and other species. The pilot showed local stakeholders that well-designed LED lighting can improve comfort and safety while reducing environmental impact.

No measured data are published for the park (no kWh or sky-quality figures); results are described qualitatively.

Lessons learned

  1. 1Combine technical quality (LED, dimming, good optics) with careful placement of fixtures.
  2. 2Involve local stakeholders early to address concerns about safety and darkness.
  3. 3Use a visible demonstration site to communicate the benefits.
  4. 4Redesign the lighting concept from scratch instead of replacing old luminaires one-to-one.

Can you do it too?

Highly transferable to small towns and villages in mountain and rural areas. Enabling conditions:

  • A clear national legal framework on light pollution
  • Local political support
  • Access to EU or national co-financing
  • Cooperation between municipalities through a local action group
  • Technical assistance from a regional development agency

Why it matters for astrotourism

Bohinj is a gateway to Triglav National Park and increasingly promoted for nature experiences, including stargazing. Less excessive lighting in the central settlement supports better night skies across the valley.

Photos

[Photo 1 – to be provided by BSC Kranj]
[Photo 2 – to be provided by BSC Kranj]
[Photo 3 – to be provided by BSC Kranj]

Find out more

  • LAS Gorenjska košarica – project descriptions “Pametna osvetlitev” and “Pametna razsvetljava” (SL)
  • Brochure “Pametna razsvetljava v občini Bohinj, Tržič in Naklo” (2020, SL)
  • Slovenian Decree on limit values of light pollution of the environment

Contact

BSC, Business Support Centre Kranj

Helena Cvenkelj

[contact email]

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