Kraków residents have been able to rediscover some parts of the city for a few days now. To the eyes of residents appeared, for example, the park next to the Matecznego traffic circle, so far hidden under a series of distinctive billboards from the "pierogi in painting" series. After July 1, 2022, any non-compliant advertising medium may lead to a financial penalty.
What will change in Krakow.
In Krakow, it can now be officially said "goodbye to advertising." Two years after the landscape resolution was passed, the period of adjustment to the new legal provisions has ended. How will the resolution change the face of the city?
The resolution divided Krakow into three zones, taking into account existing cultural parks with provisions for advertising media. Free-standing billboards will disappear from zones II and III, which include: Old Town, part of Nowa Huta, as well as a sizable portion of Zwierzyniec and Krowodrza. In addition, freestanding advertisements up to 5 square meters in the subareas of the zones have also been removed.
zoning
© City Hall of Krakow
In addition to billboards, the big changes concern large-format grids, which will be more difficult to defend. Owners will be allowed to place a banner on no more than half of a facade during the renovation. This type of media will not be allowed on such a building more than once every seven years. This was particularly affected by the covering up of the proverbial "rags" on the architecture around Trzech Wieszczów Avenue. An important element of Krakow's architecture, such as Władysław Ekielski 's own house on Pilsudski Street, could so far only be seen in photos from the 1980s and 1990s.
Conditions that advertising media in Krakow must meet
© City Hall of Krakow
enforcement process
In addition to the end of the resolution's compliance period, the manner of enforcement is important. Krakow City Hall announces the initiation of proceedings, which it distinguishes into two types: media placed before and after the enactment of the document.
Owners of advertisements installed before July 1, 2020 have been informed to comply with the guidelines. After two years, financial penalties may be imposed if the advertising medium is not removed or adjusted.
Bronowicka Street
© City Hall of Krakow
In the case of advertisements installed after the resolution's entry into force, the owner of the advertisement is required to present documents confirming that the advertisement complies with the provisions of the resolution.
On the website of the Portal of Electronic Public Services of the City of Krakow, you will find a special calculator to determine what kind of media can be used on the facade. To date, the Road Authority of the City of Krakow has removed more than 1,500 advertisements next to road lanes. Not a single financial penalty has yet been imposed. The penalty for 1 cubic meter of an advertising carrier that does not comply with the provisions of the resolution is 122 zlotys per day.
Opolska Street
© City Hall of Krakow
beginning of changes
It is not worth fooling ourselves, the removal of advertising carriers can be considered the beginning of changes, and adaptation to new conditions. The basis for achieving the goal of the resolution is, first of all, consistent enforcement - even when the topic quiets down and social pressure due to other problems diminishes.
The unveiling of many places on the city map can positively affect interest in certain parts of the city. The park at the Mateczny traffic circle, hitherto besieged on all sides, is beginning to encourage people to visit. Residents could see that there are real ones behind the billboards with printed trees. The same was true of Krakow's advertising bastion of Borkowska Mountain or Kalwaryjska Street.
Orlińskiego street
© City Hall of Krakow
The removal of advertising media will also bring with it the necessary further adaptation processes. On Peacock Street, passersby saw a camp of homeless people who created makeshift housing conditions for themselves there. Much of the place will not be beautified from the removal of the carriers, here further actions of the Authority are necessary and worth pressing for.
