BioDistrict Lighting Master Plan

Studio West’s Downtown BioDistrict Lighting Gap Analysis and Concept Identification Plan emerged from an urban design imperative in New Orleans: to assess and address lighting gaps across the Downtown Development District that affect both public safety and the area’s sense of place. Studio West conducted an in-depth site analysis to understand existing conditions and determine where lighting infrastructure was insufficient or absent. Findings are presented in the first half of the report, highlighting key corridors and nodes where strategic investment in lighting could dramatically improve the pedestrian experience.

Building on this analysis, the second half of the plan proposes a series of lighting concepts designed to address public safety and create a sense of place thereby establishing a distinctive identity for the District. These concepts emphasize three major corridors and offer scalable design strategies that can be adopted by institutions, property owners, and developers throughout the District. The plan lays out a replicable framework that connects safety, wayfinding, and place branding through the lens of public lighting.