In 2007, the Mayor of Sao Paulo banned outdoor advertising in the city. One of the things that really jumps out at you here is the presence of large scale public art, visible everywhere. Rather than being drowned out by marketing messages, as in cities like Shanghai and New York, you can drive and walk through Sao Paulo without feeling overwhelmed by people trying to sell you things. That's an amazing thing, for a city of this size, and it's worth thinking about. How much visual pollution does a city really need or want? Below is a video of Sao Paulo before and after the laws took effect... Here's an article from AdBusters on the whole ordeal of removing the scourge of billboards from the city's skyline. Food for thought.
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