The City of Peoria, Arizona is located in Yavapai and Maricopa County, approximately thirty minutes from Downtown Phoenix in the Sonoran Desert. Originally founded as an agricultural community, Peoria has experienced an abundance of growth and urban development, causing an increase in artificial light and light pollution. Peoria is exploring possibilities to earn Dark Sky Designation with a Dark Sky Ordinance to enhance the City’s sustainability and quality of life for all living beings.
The City partnered with Arizona State University’s SOS 594/498: Urban Sustainability Best Practices Application class to provide supporting information on the matter in the form of a report and an infographic summary. Two students worked together throughout the Fall 2021 semester to research the
International Dark Sky Association (IDA), conduct literature reviews, hold subject-matter expert interviews, and compile their findings into a feasible set of recommendations for the City of Peoria to consider.
This report provides a background on the benefits and requirements of Dark Sky protection and examines possible future measures. The research is built upon the IDA certification program for International Dark Sky Communities (IDSC) which defines six criteria essential to fighting light pollution. For each of these criteria, possible measures are evaluated and recommendations specified. Lastly, the report contains a timeline of action, outlining Peoria’s next steps if they choose to become a certified IDSC.