Kyoto to Strengthen Regulations on Outdoor Advertising

Since July 2005, a committee in Kyoto city has been conducting a fundamental review of regulations on building height, design and outdoor advertising, with the aims of preservation and restoration of the city's historical landscape. Kyoto City compiled a draft plan under the review and invited public comment until December 28, 2006.

For over 1,200 years, Kyoto has been cultivating its picturesque scenery, in which many historical properties, including World Heritage sites, blended in with a cityscape immersed in nature. Since the rapid economic growth in 1960s, however, the city's scenery has continued to change despite a variety of efforts to protect it.

The proposed plan includes a number of restrictions regarding outdoor advertising: a ban on rooftop advertising throughout the city; stricter regulations on the height, size and color of other outdoor advertising; and a completely ban on blinking neon advertising. Proposed enforcement includes a crack down on construction companies that violate the ordinance by ordering business suspension or revoking licenses, and the public disclosure of such penalties.

http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/topics/2006_11/index.html#1

Posted: 2007/02/18 10:53:21 PM
Japanese version