Some view Hong Kong’s neon signs as an essential part of the city’s “image and heritage.” However, a significant number of these signs are illegal structures that not only detract from the aesthetic of the city but also pose a physical risk. In the densely populated area of Mong Kok, where competition for customers is high, merchants rely on bright lights to attract attention.

The reality beneath the surface of Mong Kok is not attractive, but it is impressive. With a solarpunk makeover, or even just the addition of exterior living walls, this densely populated area could be transformed into a more enjoyable and sustainable place to live and shop.

Visual pollution is a significant problem in India’s capital city. The air is filled with dust and smog, trash is scattered throughout the streets, and makeshift wiring and cables, as seen in the image of this Old Delhi neighborhood, leave little space for traditional billboards found in other major cities.

A cleanup effort has been launched in certain areas, where haphazard additions to the phone and power infrastructure have become intertwined with their surroundings, tangling together and becoming firmly attached to buildings. On the other hand, the colorful painted walls beyond the cables suggest that Delhi’s hanging cables could be considered an art form in their own right.

Like Times Square, the visual “pollution” is an integral part of the identity of Shibuya Crossing. However, it is worth considering how the junction might look with a more thoughtful approach to beautifying the plainer buildings and reducing the constant light pollution.

Efforts to reduce visual clutter in LA have been ongoing for decades. However, some argue that without its iconic billboards, LA would lose its unique “image culture” that is the city’s main source of income. The billboards on the boulevard have a rich history, ranging from kitschy iconography to high art.

However, with its palm trees, abundance of Art Deco architecture, and beautiful sunsets, does Hollywood Boulevard truly need the addition of tacky exhibition ads and movie posters for films that are already well-known? The road is close to paradise without them. It would be even better if it were to be pedestrianized.

The definition of visual pollution in Las Vegas is a matter of debate. Some visitors might be disappointed with a “cleaned-up” version of the city, as seen in the second picture. However, the level of light pollution in Las Vegas is significant enough to wash out the night sky, making it difficult to see stars and meteorites that would be visible from the desert city in a darker environment.

Illuminated signs have been a feature of this busy London transport hub since 1908, with the first neon sign appearing in the 1940s. As early as 1928, The Times newspaper stated that “it would be a decided gain, from the aesthetic point of view, to get rid of the illuminated signs on the façades of these buildings. By day as well as by night, they are a hideous eyesore which no civilized community ought to tolerate, especially in so prominent and important a position.” This opinion highlights the long-standing debate about the impact of illuminated signs on the aesthetic of the city and their impact on the community.

Times Square is the quintessential example of “visual pollution.” Its bright billboards are protected by law to preserve the “identity” (and revenue) of the commercial intersection. New York City requires buildings to have illuminated signage, and in the 1980s, set a requirement for new developments to dedicate 5% of floor space for entertainment. This is likely the reason why the natural beauty of the area is not taken into account as a form of entertainment.

Given its iconic status in the American imagination, Times Square is at the center of the debate over whether what one person perceives as visual pollution, another may view as a natural modern habitat. Some argue that the square’s previous form of visual pollution, which included grime, aging billboards, and lurid cinema signs, was a tragic loss, as it provided a welcoming backdrop for the city’s outcasts. On the other hand, the present-day Times Square continues to evoke the greed and excess of the 1980s, when the square’s “Disneyfication” began. Is there a more sensitive way to update the visual landscape of Times Square for the mid-21st century?

The before-and-after images from Uganda raises an important question that is relevant to all the other visualizations: Are cars considered “visual pollution”? In these images, cars have been included as they are a part of the experience of visual pollution for the people in each location. However, it’s worth considering how often a car has ruined an otherwise perfect photo opportunity or caused a headache after a walk down a busy street. Cars, like other forms of transportation, can be seen as a source of visual pollution because of their impact on the environment and aesthetic of the surrounding areas.

Cars are often considered unattractive, dirty, distracting, and out of place, and they also contribute to additional visual pollution, such as emissions, moving reflections, and additional signage. Fortunately, Kampala is addressing both visual and air pollution by being designated Africa’s first Tree City due to its efforts to plant and protect urban trees. This is a positive step towards creating a more sustainable and visually pleasing urban environment.