Illuminated by snowglow: Interplay of pedestrian path lighting with materiality in peri-urban green space

• Snow cover linearly correlates with increased illuminance at vertical plane • Light level changes from snow are more visible near the path than in forest areas. • Amplified light levels link to higher chances of ecological chain effects. • Resident responses show openness to adapting lighting in peri-urban green spaces. Current pedestrian illumination practices prioritise sufficient lighting on surfaces using photometric parameters regardless of context. Real-world environments are complex, comprising built and natural elements fluctuating in response to natural phenomena. In higher latitudes, snowfall coincides with the darkest period of the year, offering a distinctive context for examining interactions among light, materiality, and the environment. This exploratory study investigates the influence of snow cover, as a reflective material on pedestrian path illumination within a peri-urban green space. The research was conducted at a testbed in Uppsala, Sweden, using a mixed-methods approach combining photometric measurements (illuminance and luminance), with self-reported questionnaires completed by residents. The study’s findings indicate that significantly reduced light output under snow-covered conditions elevates light levels comparable to those typically produced under full light output (2100 lm) under dry surface conditions. Increased snow depth correlates with a nearly fourfold increase in reflectance, thereby supporting sufficient landscape visibility even in low-lit environments. Self-reported resident responses revealed complex public attitudes toward light and darkness: snow-covered settings were generally perceived positively, with appreciation expressed for enhanced celestial visibility and wildlife protection. However, reassurance perceived through electric lighting remained significant. Overall, the findings suggest the need to implement responsive mitigation strategies that account for material conditions and leverage technological adaptability to ensure both visibility and ecological protection. By linking quantified lighting effects to spatial, social, and ecological dimensions, the study supports a context-specific approach to lighting design that is attuned to ecological rhythms and variations in human perception.