Petition launched against advertising screens and illuminated columns in Zurich

In March, Zurich City Council decided to build ten advertising screens and thirty illuminated rotating columns in public spaces in 2016. Financed with over one million francs of taxpayers' money, as detailed in a press release on Monday. "The city council is thus breaking a taboo, as advertising screens were not permitted in the past. The city council is ushering in a new era of privatization of public space through outdoor advertising that will be irreversible," the press release continues. The basis for the city council's decision are two Street surveys as well as an unpublished energy balance of the test operation with two screens and five rotating columns. "On closer inspection, the surveys prove to be unscientific and tendentious and manipulative in many respects. Nevertheless, it has been shown that 57% of Zurich residents are of the opinion that there is too much advertising in Switzerland, and as many as 88% in some age groups." After a discussion with city councillor André Odermatt from the Department of Buildings did not lead to a rethink, the petition demanding that the city council dispense with the ten advertising screens and thirty illuminated columns was launched. (hae/pd)

Teaser image: Clear Channel