Whilst we have to learn to live with COVID-19, URBAN SUN will travel internationally to speed up applications of this special far-UVC light as an innovative solution to reduce the spread of coronavirus. URBAN SUN was presented at the Aarhus Festival, Northern Europe’s largest cultural event in Denmark, and the Museum of Design Atlanta in the USA at the exhibition ‘Survival Architecture and the Art of Resilience’. The URBAN SUN movie was shown at the Netherlands Pavilion of the prestigious World Expo 2020 Dubai, representing excellence in innovation and design. Studio Roosegaarde also opened a new pop-up studio in Dubai to strengthen its relationships in new art and science projects. Lowlands Festival, one of the biggest music festivals in the Netherlands, planned to present URBAN SUN as well.
"We are proud to present the footage of the innovative designs GROW and URBAN SUN by Roosegaarde at the Netherlands Pavilion during the World Expo 2020 Dubai. Art boosts innovation." - Lody Embrechts, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UAE
"We are all trying to find the right keys to open back up to the normal situation we knew. URBAN SUN could be part of a solution that we need." - Eric van Eerdenburg, Director of Lowlands Festival
Although traditional 254nm UV light is harmful, the specific light wavelength of 222nm is considered safe for both people and animals. It can reduce the coronavirus up to 99.9% and this has been validated by multiple scientists. URBAN SUN acts as an additional layer of protection next to current government regulations. URBAN SUN on world tour was an opportunity to engage in new collaborations.
Designing solutions
Studio Roosegaarde has been researching the power of light for many years and started the self-commissioned URBAN SUN in 2019. The development became more urgent due to the pandemic. URBAN SUN combines design and science, and can now be exhibited in any type of public space to create better and safer spaces to meet.
“Suddenly, our world is filled with plastic barriers and ‘keep-a-distance’ stickers, our friends reduced to pixels on a computer screen. Let’s be the architects of our future and create better places to meet and interact.” - Daan Roosegaarde, designer
Science
URBAN SUN was created by Studio Roosegaarde’s team, along with external experts and scientists from the Netherlands, the US, Japan, Spain, and Italy. The URBAN SUN’s far-UVC light source is measured and calibrated by the Dutch National Metrology Institute VSL and meets the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) safety standards.
The science behind URBAN SUN is based on multiple peer-reviewed journal articles authored by scientists from Columbia University and Hiroshima University. The research shows that specific ultraviolet light (far-UVC) with a wavelength of 222nm can reduce the presence of viruses, including various strains of coronavirus and influenza, up to 99.9%.
Authorities about URBAN SUN
Leading authorities are enthusiastic about the project and describe it as hopeful, promising and full of courage:
-“Virtual simulations indicate a positive impact of the URBAN SUN in reduction of airborne coronaviruses in public spaces.” Carlo D’Alesio from MEG Science and Professor at Politecnico di Milano
-"It is inspiring. People are tired of COVID-19. What we need is courage to find new solutions, to get in touch with each other, and create some intimacy. That is what URBAN SUN is doing." Jet Bussemaker, President of the Council of the Public Health & Society Board, the Netherlands’ independent parliamentary advising body
-“The use of 222nm far-UVC in public space, as in URBAN SUN, should prove to be both safe and effective.” Matthew Hardwick PhD, President at ResInnova Laboratories, Washington D.C., works with his team of virus experts and microbiologists
-“URBAN SUN is inspiring. It will make enjoying public spaces safer and I look forward to visiting locations where this far-UVC sun is shining.” Professor Karl Linden, award-winning innovator in UV technologies and founding board member of the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA), Colorado
-Listen here to what Dutch scientists state about the far-UVC of URBAN SUN at NPO Radio 1.
URBAN SUN is the second project of the DreamScapes series by Studio Roosegaarde and partners which shows the beauty of combining art and science to create a better world.
