Beyond Illumination: Stakeholders Perspectives and Preferences on Eco-Friendly Lighting for Sustainable Cities

Abstract

This study explores integrating eco-friendly lighting technologies as crucial components in advancing sustainable smart city infrastructure. As cities strive to reduce their carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency, lighting systems like LEDs and OLEDs have emerged as critical components. This research aimed to assess industry stakeholders' awareness, adoption drivers, and challenges associated with these technologies. The survey, with a 73% response rate was conducted among key stakeholders in the construction, architecture, and real estate sectors, and the data was analyzed statistically (ANOVA and independent T-test) to capture differences in perceptions. Results indicate that over 70% of respondents are familiar with eco-friendly lighting, with key adoption drivers being energy savings, cost efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Similar perceptions between male and female respondents were observed, while more experienced professionals showed a greater preference for energy-saving innovations. However, significant barriers to widespread adoption include high upfront costs and installation complexity. The study concludes that financial incentives and targeted education are essential to overcoming the barriers and accelerating the adoption of sustainable lighting technologies. These findings align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7, 11, and 13, supporting clean energy and resilient cities. These findings underscore the critical role that eco-friendly lighting technologies can play in advancing sustainable urban environments.