Incity Tower: a year of light to raise awareness about pollution

Since June 26, 2024, the roof of the Incity Tower has been illuminated every evening according to a color code indicating the air quality forecast for the following day in Lyon. This innovative system, initiated by Atmo Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes with the Caisse d'Épargne Rhône-Alpes and the Métropole de Lyon, is celebrating its first anniversary. The goal? To raise public awareness of a major health issue while making scientific information accessible to all.

Also read : The Incity tower becomes an indicator of air quality in Lyon

The results, one year later, are generally positive, according to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes air quality observatory. Far from the initial fears of an all-too-frequently red tower, a sign of high pollution, the data reveal a varied distribution of air quality levels: 206 average days, 93 degraded days, 61 poor days, and 5 very poor days. The ATMO index, calculated daily based on five regulated pollutants, thus allows people to adopt appropriate actions to protect themselves and reduce their own contribution to pollution.

Following this first system, a second light system was installed at the end of June 2025 at a measuring station located on the edge of the Laurent Bonnevay ring road. Visible to thousands of motorists, this " air totem " completes the approach with an educational display during the day and nighttime lighting. A way to " make the invisible visible by materializing the environmental issue at human height ."

Furthermore, Lyon public transport has been broadcasting the " air weather " daily on TCL screens since 2022. An enhanced version since June 2025 now includes mobility advice to encourage good choices.

With these tools, Atmo intends to permanently anchor the ATMO index in the urban landscape and in citizens' habits, to help them breathe better tomorrow.