For Immediate Release

July 8, 2012

Astral Media Pillars Reclaimed in cARTographyTO Project
‘Putting The Info Back In Info Pillar’
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This weekend, cARTographyTO replaced ads in Astral Media “Info” Pillars with art-maps created by Toronto residents and local artists. This site-specific art, donated by over 30 concerned citizens (and supported by many times more), offers new possibilities for these spaces, and information about the surrounding neighbourhoods. This is a response to sidewalk billboards, and the erosion and privatization of public spaces.
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A spokesperson for cARTographyTO stated, “These structures are billboards masquerading as sources of useful public information. When you look at the pillars, it’s hard to find the maps, and this goes against the City’s own public space guidelines. How could City Hall allow this to happen? Beyond mere visual pollution, these pillars are a safety hazard. And Astral’s influence on our city is a public insult and embarrassment - more power has been given to those who already have the loudest voices, to the detriment of all who use these spaces.”
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Astral Media’s “Info Pillars” detract from Toronto’s public space:

Pillars do not offer “info” of sufficient quality or size to be useful
Pillars block the natural flow of pedestrians on the city’s busiest sidewalks
Trees and bike racks were cut at the company’s whim - many more than previously stated, including some with bikes still attached
Explicitly ignoring the public’s best interests in favour of advertisers, Astral Media’s website states, “Own the downtown Toronto core with the new Signature Columns!”
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The design of these invasive “info pillars”:

Contravenes the City’s approved Vibrant Streets Guidelines which states, “the design of new street furniture must demonstrate appropriateness for the intended use, not as a venue for advertising… the size and scale of the amenities should not be increased in order to accommodate larger advertising faces”
Was changed from its original design without public consultation
Is a hazard to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists by blocking the lines-of-sight on the roadside and sidewalk
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The City mishandled the already problematic contract by:

Relaxing enforcement of the contract
Allowing Astral Media to redesign the pillars with far less information and far more ad space
Accelerating the contract to allow implementation before the Wayfinding Strategy, also underway, could inform Council’s decision
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Other cities:

Montreal, Vancouver and dozens of other cities in North America have useful maps that don’t block the sidewalk and yet are large enough to actually inform visitors and residents
Sao Paulo, Brazil banned all public space advertising, which not only improved the public realm but also transferred advertising funds to support print and other media
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cARTographyTO encourages businesses and organizations to pledge to not advertise on these invasive structures, and residents to not purchase products or services from companies or organizations that do.
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For more information: http://cartographyTO.co.nr
Contact information: info.cartographyto@gmail.com
Twitter: #cARTographyTO