Law approved to reduce visual pollution in Goiânia.

247_ The Goiânia City Council approved this Thursday, in a second and final vote, a project by councilman Elias Vaz (Psol) that combats visual pollution in the capital. The law, which depends on the sanction of Mayor Paulo Garcia (PT), imposes a drastic reduction in the number of billboards, proposing a minimum distance between advertisements. Among the most important measures are stricter rules to reduce the number of advertising signs and an increase in penalties (the maximum fine increases from R$ 112 to R$ 5).

In the approved proposal, Elias Vaz argues that the current law allows for an excess of billboards in the same location or in inappropriate locations, contributing to increased visual pollution. The number and concentration of this type of advertising cause numerous problems in modern society, ranging from stress to traffic accidents. "This is an important achievement for Goiânia, because currently, it is permitted to place billboards in schools, fire stations, cemeteries, and even in permanent preservation areas. We can no longer treat the urban environment as a no-man's-land; it is necessary to curb practices that only worsen the quality of life for citizens," argued the councilman.

Distances

The approved text reduces the number of billboards that can be grouped together, with a minimum distance of 1 meter between them, from four to three. The separation area between each group has increased from 100 meters in the current law to 120 meters in the new law. The limit on billboards with visibility in the same direction and on the same side has been reduced from eight to six.

The approved text adds article 154-a, which prohibits the installation of advertising structures in locations of historical, cultural, scenic, artistic, and environmental value in certain areas of Goiânia. This type of advertising may only be installed at a minimum distance of 50 meters from parks and woods; it may not be installed in certain historical parts of the Central Sector and is prohibited in permanent preservation areas.

Walls

The new law brings another important change regarding mural painting. Currently, the law allows advertising for events and commercial activities. The only exception is when the advertising takes place on the premises of the commercial establishment itself. The goal is to avoid excesses, such as that of a musical show in Goiânia that painted its advertisements on 400 walls.

If approved by the Executive branch and enacted, the law stipulates that those operating this type of advertising will have 1 year and 4 months (540 days) to replace wooden supports with metal supports. The deadline for renewing previously authorized permits will be 180 days.

The law approved by the City Council is part of a broader project by councilman Elias Vaz aimed at combating visual pollution in Goiânia. There is another project under consideration, already approved in its first vote, that reduces the excess of facades in the city, especially on historical buildings.