Author(s)

Longmei Zhang

Corresponding Author

Longmei Zhang

ABSTRACT

Light pollution is currently an influential environmental issue, and different countries are adopting varied measures to reduce its impact. As two to of the most developed metropolitans, Shanghai and London, one representing the East and one representing the west, have applied different approaches to reduce obtrusive light in the last two decades. This study aims to compare the restrictions and guidance published by Shanghai and London. Specifically, it compares the statutory methods used by the two cities in fields such as complaints investigation, environmental zone division, outdoor regulation, indoor regulation, and non-human organism protection. To make a detailed comparison, the regulations are viewed on the governmental websites of the two cities and are analyzed. Specific commitments from different guidance and restrictions are categorized into several fields and are compared accordingly. The results showed that London focuses on the establishment of general goals and has a comparatively slower process, while Shanghai focuses on the details and has implemented numerous regulations in the last decade with surprisingly fast speed. It is believed that different political structures accounted for this result. On this basis, Shanghai needs to put more effort into responding the public opinions, and London needs to implement specific guidances that directly target the issues.

KEYWORDS

Light Pollution, Obtrusive Light, Regulation, Guidances