Abstract
The purpose of this study is to analyze the classification of Seoul's environmental lighting zone based on a high-resolution light pollution map of Seoul. This map was created through a data integration of night time images produced by VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) and ISS (International Space Station). This map provides a detailed space grid of light pollution which allows for a quantitative analysis of the light pollution in Seoul. There are four different environmental lighting zones in Seoul based on land use: Commercial/Industrial zones, Residential zones, Green zones and Protected natural areas. These zones have corresponding light emission standards by regulation in which the emission standards decrease in the order listed. Using the Grasshopper Image Sampler Algorithm of the light pollution map, this paper examines whether the current environmental lighting zone regulations agree with the current state of light pollution level. The result shows that a lot of residential areas of the 25 District of Seoul have the same or even higher light pollution level than commercial areas. This is because a lot of the residential areas have mix-used facilities where high levels of commercial activities occur at night, making the city at higher risk of light pollution. In lighting zone 3, residential zones, there is a clear pattern showing that 2nd class residential zones, 3rd class residential zones and mixed-use residential areas have higher light pollution levels than purely residential areas and 1st class residential zones. Between commercial zones and industrial zones which are both categorized as lighting zones 4, some industrial zones have lower light emission levels than residential zones at night depending on the type of business. Therefore, this research suggests lighting sub-zones for areas to have higher or lower light emission standards depending on its local land-use conditions and commercial activities for a more efficient way to manage and govern light pollution levels at night.