Developing countries

General overview

A challenging presentation on the lighting needs of developing countries was held by Mr Pranab K. Bandyopadhyay (386). As an inhabitant of the host country of the 23rd session of the CIE Mr Bandyopadhyay is well familiar with the specific needs and constraints developing countries face in their strive for progress, not in the least when they want to improve their lighting situation.

Elucidated with examples of the economic and demographic situation in India and Brazil Mr Bandyopadhyay pointed out specific lighting needs in various areas of society and mirrored these to typical constraints of developing countries thereby indicating possible gateways to improvement. A strong appeal for assistance and co-operation is made to the fraternity of international lighting experts whereas the CIE as the global platform for furthering international co-operation and exchange of information in the field of lighting is invited to integrate the lighting needs and aspirations of developing countries into the present range of activities.

Constraints are in short : a predominantly rural population [absence of infrastructure], shortage of electricity, shortage of funds for investment, high peak demands due to over representation of electricity used for lighting resulting in very unfavourable demand distribution over a 24 hours cycle, and subsidised electricity tariffs for low income consumers.

Lighting needs are : adapted lighting appliances for village use, renewable/non-conventional power sources for non-electrified villages, adequate outdoor lighting to provide safety and security in urban slum areas, adapted lighting standards and applications, lighting applications adapted to small-scale industries, road lighting standards adapted to local circumstances, appropriate application and development of daylighting systems as a means of energy conservation, education and training, establishment of lighting societies eventually leading to participation in the CIE.

Mr S. Roy Chowdhury's (501) workshop on "Technology appropriate to developing countries" gave a similar overview of needs and constraints encountered in improving the lighting situation in developing countries. Issues were discussed in a series of short presentations by experts followed by discussions with the audience.

Issues highlighted in this workshop were:

• Manufacturing of conventional light sources and luminaires;
• Energy conservation;
• Daylighting and renewable energy options;
• Lighting design, standards and codes of practice;
• Testing measurements and research & development;
• Lighting education in developing countries.

The reader of this Internet document is strongly recommended to obtain a copy of the full texts of Mr Bandyopadhyay's paper and the paper of Mr S. Roy Chowdhury

(copies can be ordered from the CIE).

Road Lighting

One of the major problems in developing countries is the implementation of adequate and reliable yet inexpensive road lighting. Mr D. Schreuder (350) dedicated a comprehensive paper to the issue of road lighting in developing countries. After an assessment of general depictors of the road lighting situation in the part of the world that stays behind in development, it is concluded that there is a need for design and maintenance methods that meet the specific requirements of developing countries. In this paper the need for training, education, and actions to enhance public awareness and to inform the authorities on the consequences of the application of quality lighting are especially stressed. The paragraph on "Financial" aspects is especially interesting as it indicates possible openings for effective investments and funding of road lighting improvement projects.