Lisbon's Dark Streets: The Growing Issue of Non-Functional Streetlights

Public Lighting Concerns in Lisbon

Many residents are noticing a decline in the city's lighting, not just due to the Winter schedule. Despite the festive season, with Christmas lights being lit, hundreds of streetlights across Lisbon remain non-functional. Complaints have surged from neighborhoods such as Bairro Alto to Olivais, highlighting a significant issue with public lighting. For instance, Campolide reported over 200 outages in just six months, while Penha de França documented 81 occurrences during their latest assessment.

Image Credit: DR/JFC - Campolide

On social media, residents are expressing frustration. One questioned how long it would take for the Câmara Municipal de Lisboa (CML) to address the numerous streetlights out on Rua do Século, which have been reported for two years. Another linked a recent robbery on Rua Nova da Piedade to the lack of lighting, emphasizing a growing concern for safety. In Arroios, complaints about Rua António Pedro and Jardim Fernando Pessa have also surfaced, with some lights reportedly off for four years.

Increasing Complaints

The issue is longstanding, but Fábio Sousa, president of the Carnide Parish, warns that the situation has worsened. He attributes the problem to a severe disinvestment in public lighting by the municipal government. Over 40,000 complaints regarding public lighting have been registered in just seven months, according to the Movimento pela Democracia Participativa (MDP).

Image Credit: Rita Chantre - Rua das Gaivotas, Santos

Teresa Nande, head of Territorial Management Division in Penha de França, confirmed that technical interventions are taking longer, requiring persistent follow-ups. Carla Madeira, president of Misericórdia, described the city's response as insufficient, particularly affecting the elderly who fear going out due to the darkness.

Ongoing Issues and Delays

Despite efforts from local parish councils to document and report issues systematically, residents feel the CML's response lacks effectiveness. The CML stated that operational teams are continuously working on public lighting issues, but delays in repairs are often attributed to the E-Redes network operator.

The Importance of Proper Lighting

The consequences of inadequate lighting extend beyond aesthetics; they pose safety risks and hinder mobility. Proper public lighting is essential for ensuring safety and reducing crime, with studies indicating that better lighting can reduce crime by about 20%. In summer 2023, the CML announced plans to replace over 16,000 conventional lamps with LED technology to enhance efficiency, but the investigation into this process raises questions about the municipality's priorities and effectiveness.

Image Credit: DR/Arquiled - Iluminação LED na Baixa