The project aims to contribute to the development of urban lighting in disadvantaged communities by encouraging cities from high and low income countries to partner together. The first beneficiary is Jericho, who is receiving assistance from the City of Lyon and Thorn.

For LightLinks, Christophe Richon, Director of the Thorn Academy of Light, took part in a mission that went to the Palestinian West Bank to co-ordinate the partners, explore the lighting concepts of the Tree of Zacchaeus and the ruins of  Hisham Palace and prepare them for practical implementation.  He was able to see at first hand how the lighting provided by LightLinks is providing resources that Jericho would not otherwise have access to, and is empowering them to better their own urban lighting.

Mission to Jericho

"From May 17 to 20 a task force flew to Jericho, comprising of: Antoine Bouchet and Frédéric Durand (Lyon Public Lighting Department); Philippe Hutinet (lighting expert of Agence Hutinet); Noha Rashmawi (representative for Jericho at LUCI) and myself,” said Christophe, explaining the mission.

"We were extremely well received and supported by the municipality of Jericho, mayor El-Hussein and Adly Sharif, the local Thorn agent (Technolight Eng.). We also got to meet Dr Taha, Director of Palestinian Archaeology, the electricity company and local business owners, among others. All showed great enthusiasm.”

 "We spent three evenings with the city electricians and other municipality employees at the sites. Antoine, Philippe and Frédéric impressed the locals with their competence, and were pleased with the results. Many officials came, and the trials conducted on the Mount of Temptation, a future possibility, were the talk of the city!”, he added.

Next steps for the city includes:

• to finalise the lighting concepts
• to organise the implementation (including installation by the city of Jericho)
• to return post summer to validate the concept and prepare the implementation phase with the local partners

LightLinks is making a real contribution, not only by boosting the night appeal of major tourist attractions, but for the community. As one of Christophe’s hosts said "amidst the terrible situation we are in, it’s projects like yours which keep us going and hoping".

For more information on LightLinks, please visit the LUCI website at www.luciassociation.org