REGULATIONS AND LEVELS OF COMPLIANCE OF OUTDOOR ADVERTISING BILLBOARDS IN UYO URBAN: IMPLICATION FOR URBAN AESTHETICS

Purpose: The paper examined the spatial location of billboards in Uyo urban in a view to analysing their impacts on the environment. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was conducted on four major arterial roads of Ikot Ekpene, Abak, Aka and Oron in Uyo. Data were gathered through observation of 1,321 billboards and interview of 141 road users. Relevant policy documents and literature were reviewed. The data were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively using descriptive statistics. Findings: The nature and spatial location of billboards on the selected roads were characterized by clutter that do not conform to the regulations. The cluttering was pronounced on Abak and Ikot Ekpene roads with billboards distributed between 5 to 12 metres, well below the recommended 20 metres. Majority of the billboards fell short of the recommended height of between 2.2 and 3.3 metres above the ground. Also, many billboards were not properly sited thereby blocking the views of motorists. In addition to these, government agencies responsible for enforcement of billboards regulation are not effective. Research limitations/Implications: Implications of findings include noncompliance of the nature and sitting of billboards to existing regulations, therefore impacting the environment and enhancement of the character and appearance of Uyo urban. Originality/value – The study concluded that there is no coordination among road sector agencies in the planning and management of outdoor advertising; and the establishment of a platform for stakeholders for the formulation and communication of outdoor advertising policies.