Would London be the same without TDK & SANYO in big bright lights?
Would NYNY be less attractive without a giant stock ticker in the middle of the city?
How would Toronto look without the enormous flashing records outside Sam the Record Man?
Sao Paulo is probably not the first city that comes to mind when you think of places where advertising dominates the city centre. New York has it's famous Times Square, London's Piccadilly Circus is a haven for tourists armed with cameras, and even the thriving metropolis of Toronto is developing it's own public space dominated by high gloss advertising at Yonge/Dundas Square.
Last year, 2007, was a landmark year for the Brazil's largest city. In true form to their city's motto (I am not led, I lead), local politicians voted to essentially ban all outdoor advertising! You read it correctly - they put a ban on all outdoor advertising!
Because of an estimated 8000+ illegal billboards, there are now no more billboards anywhere, legal or illegal. No more billboards on the sides of buildings, no more billboards on the highways, no ads on taxis, buses, public shelters. No outdoor ads at all, anywhere!
There of course has been mixed reaction. Some say that there is a beauty rediscovering the architecture of the city, and uncovering some social problems that billboards hid. Others say that this is an infringement on freedom of speech, or that the city lacks it's culture without any ads.
Politics, and big business aside, what would your city look like without outdoor advertising? Would it change the landscape? Would you miss it?
What does it say about a culture when they are defined by the ads they expose themselves to?
Leave your comments here.
Aneez
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