Genoa installs illuminated reading benches in historic center

Genoa, as Italian Capital of Book 2023, has installed illuminated benches in the Santa Maria di Castello area as part of the Leggera initiative, itself part of the larger Lighting for Genoa urban regeneration project. Designed by Giorgia Brusemini and Carla Morganti, the benches combine aesthetic design with low-energy lighting to encourage evening reading and improve safety. The project, curated by Stefania del Toro, aims to create permanent lighting interventions in public spaces, involving local citizens and women designers from the Women in Lighting network. City Green Light handled the energy-efficient installations. In late May, the benches hosted the first of a series of evening reading marathons during Genova BeDesign Week. Lighting for Genoa has already illuminated Piazza Don Gallo, Salita degli Embriaci, Piazza Stella, and Piazza Inferiore del Roso, with an investment of over €250,000. Six more squares are planned by end of 2023: Piazza Lepre, Piazza Cambiaso, Piazza dell'Agnello, Piazza San Pancrazio, Piazza Valoria, and Piazza San Marcellino. The lights currently operate from dusk to midnight, but may stay on all night due to positive reception.