One World... Billboards and signs

What are outdoor advertisements?
The display of outdoor advertisements is a common feature of modern commercial activity. Outdoor advertising can take many forms including billboards, posters and placards. All these forms of advertising demand attention and seek to stand out from their surroundings. A balance needs to be struck between the advertisers' commercial interest to publicise their products and activities and legitimate concerns to protect the environment and to seek to blend such new development into its surroundings.

All outdoor advertisements affect the appearance of the building, structure or place where they are displayed. They are designed to communicate information or a message to passers-by and modern advertisements often seek to attract attention and catch the eye with the use of bright colours and materials, large dimensions and illumination.

They are often sited in highly visible, prominent locations and busy roads. These features may create a visual conflict with the environment in which advertisements are displayed, particularly in urban environments of architectural or historic importance, residential areas and the open countryside.

The draft document and maps may be viewed on the Mepa website www.mepa.org.mt.