[Guidebook] Saving the starry night: What cities need to know about light pollution

Abstract

This guidebook was created for Vancouver Island University's Master of Community Planning Program and accompanies the project Saving the Starry Night: What Cities Need to Know About Light Pollution. The purpose of this project was to understand the current state and application of dark sky initiatives in Canadian municipalities and to determine what efforts are being made to address light pollution. The research was conducted with participants (N=27) ranging from city planners, engineers, city officials, research experts, dark-sky designated cities, and astronomers. The result of this project is a comprehensive overview of current applications and suggestions for future research in this field. This guidebook will benefit city planners, engineers, developers, city staff and officials, community members, astronomers, and anyone who has an interest in how lighting impacts the night sky.