The City of Houston has been presented with Scenic America’s inaugural Clear Vision award for its success in combatting visual pollution through its decades-long effort to reduce the number of billboards blighting the city’s visual environment.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker accepting Scenic America’s Clear Vision award

Houston Mayor Annise Parker accepted award at a reception at WorldFest-Houston International Independent Film Festival, before the Texas premiere of This Space Available, a ground-breaking documentary film about the problems caused by visual pollution.  The City of Houston is featured as one of the film’s success stories.

“The Clear Vision award is being given to Houston in recognition of the city’s persistent enforcement of its no new billboard policy in its 30 year fight against visual pollution,” said Ronald Lee Fleming, Scenic America Board Chair.  “It’s clear that maintaining and enforcing one simple policy will dramatically reduce visual pollution over time.”

The number of billboards on the streets of Houston has dropped from more than 10,000 in 1980 to fewer than 1500 today.  “Houston is the best example in the country of what a city can achieve with a strong policy that stands the test of time,” Fleming added.