From March 2023 in Lyon (Rhône), the new local regulations which have just been voted will apply and limit the lighting of commercial signs. “On about 80% of the territory of the metropolis of Lyon, the signs must be extinguished when the activity stops“, details Philippe Guelpa-Bonaro, environmental vice-president of the metropolis of Lyon, in charge of energies, the climate and the reduction of advertising. “On certain small districts, in the city centers, the center-towns, we will have a tolerance until 11 p.m.“, continues the elected official. More restrictive rules than those which currently exist.
“In any case, this goes much further than the current simple limitation of 1 a.m. to 6 a.m..”
Philippe Guelpa-Bonaro, elected in charge of reducing advertisingat franceinfo
This new regulations will therefore force traders to adapt. This is not a cause for concern for the professionals of the Lyon Center district, gathered within the association My Presqu’île. “It is an expectation of our customers now in terms of image, and then we can see that we are entering somewhat complicated months“, assures the director of this group of traders Clément Chevalier. “Everyone will have to work on their energy sobriety, quite simply”he warns.
He concedes all the same that it will be necessary to find the “good balance“to guarantee this sobriety and the”safe walking in the city center“while we”perhaps has an increased sense of security when there is more urban lighting.“
The savings generated with the extinction of the signs will not be enormous, also recognizes the metropolis. But this is not the only issue. “This will above all be a signal sent in terms of exemplary business. There is also an issue for biodiversity, light pollution. When we have signs that remain lit near trees, we know very well that it is a tree that there is no life inside“, Explain Philippe Guelpa-Bonaro.
The challenge will also be to enforce these new measures. The metropolis then hopes to be able to recover the competence in the matter. “There is really a question of how municipalities and territories can have more means to enforce these rules“, notes the chosen one.
“If we accumulate new rules without the means to enforce them, it will not be of much use”.
Philippe Guelpa-Bonaro, elected in charge of reducing advertisingat franceinfo
The Lyon regulations also provide for limiting the size of advertising spaces and the presence of advertising near schools.
The metropolis of Lyon limits illuminated advertisements – The report by Mathilde Imberty
to listen