The territory and its identity
Les Rives de Meurthe is one of the major urban and landscape redevelopment projects in the Greater Nancy metropolitan area. A true link between nature and the city, this stretch of riverbanks runs alongside the Meurthe for several kilometers and now connects three municipalities—Malzéville, Tomblaine, and Saint-Max—in the heart of the city of Nancy.
A place to relax, stroll, and enjoy gentle mobility, the banks of the Meurthe are frequented daily by residents, cyclists, and walkers. Lighting plays an essential role here, not only for the safety and comfort of users, but also to enhance a sensitive landscape in direct contact with the natural environment.
Initial challenges and findings
Lighting a natural, linear site such as the banks of the Meurthe River imposes specific constraints. Uses vary, traffic flows are discontinuous, and the presence of rich biodiversity requires particular attention to the impact of light, especially on nocturnal biological cycles.
Permanent high-intensity lighting would have been incompatible with the project's environmental ambitions. The Greater Nancy Metropolitan Area wanted a solution that would guarantee safe travel while drastically reducing energy consumption and light pollution.
A shared vision and clear objectives
From the outset, the project has been guided by a clear vision: to provide the right lighting, putting technology at the service of people and nature.
The objectives set were ambitious:
ensure the continuity and safety of a cycle path nearly 3 km long,
guide users without over-illuminating spaces,
respect biodiversity and natural environments,
achieve a high level of energy efficiency,
propose an innovative, reproducible, and exemplary solution.
The approach and support
The project was designed as a controlled experiment, bringing together teams from the Greater Nancy Metropolitan Area, Eclatec, GHM, and Nexiode, with a view to co-construction.
The technical choices were guided by a detailed understanding of the uses, visitor patterns, and environmental constraints specific to the banks of the Meurthe River.
The support provided enabled the lighting and detection settings to be adjusted in order to strike the right balance between visual comfort, safety, and respect for living things.
The Nexiode solution deployed
Les Rives de Meurthe is now equipped with a smart lighting system based on Nexiode communication detection technology.
Each light fixture incorporates detection capabilities and communicates with neighboring light points, allowing it to anticipate user movement and create a gradual wave of light that accompanies the path.
The solution is complemented by a choice of suitable color temperatures, designed to limit the impact on wildlife and respect natural nighttime cycles.
Key features and practical uses
The system operates according to a simple and effective principle:
a very low level of lighting when there are no users,
a gradual increase in light when a pedestrian or cyclist is detected,
a smooth, luminous accompaniment on several successive points,
an automatic return to a low level after passing through.
This dynamic management ensures excellent visibility of the route while avoiding unnecessary lighting.
Results and benefits observed
The results are particularly significant. Across the entire scope, the project enables energy savings of up to 90% compared to conventional lighting.
Users enjoy a safe, comfortable, and reassuring journey, while the natural environment is preserved thanks to a drastic reduction in light pollution.
The recognition of the project by La Revue Lumières, with over 20,000 readers, confirms its exemplary and innovative nature.
A benchmark for lighting urban natural spaces
Les Rives de Meurthe is now a benchmark for smart lighting in urban natural spaces.
This project demonstrates that it is possible to reconcile technological innovation, energy efficiency, and respect for biodiversity by placing usage and living organisms at the heart of the discussion.
With this project, Nexiode affirms its ability to offer smart, responsive, and sustainable lighting solutions that serve local areas and their landscapes.
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