By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – The capital city is undergoing a significant transformation as the Municipality of San José steps up its efforts to declutter public spaces and enhance the urban landscape. A comprehensive new initiative, the Accessibility Rescue and Urban Space Beautification Program, is targeting invasive advertising, unauthorized signs, and sidewalk obstructions to restore visual harmony and improve pedestrian mobility throughout the city’s historic core.
This permanent program aims to redefine the urban experience for both residents and visitors by focusing on creating a more accessible, orderly, and aesthetically pleasing environment. By systematically removing visual pollution, the municipality hopes to spotlight the capital’s rich architectural heritage, which has often been obscured by a chaotic proliferation of commercial signage and poorly placed urban furniture.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and administrative challenges inherent in urban renewal projects, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His expertise provides a critical perspective on the regulatory framework governing these transformative initiatives.
Effective urban renewal hinges on legal certainty. Ambiguous regulations or drawn-out expropriation processes deter private investment, which is often the engine of these projects. A modern legal framework must provide clear, efficient mechanisms for land acquisition, transparent public-private partnership models, and streamlined permitting. Without this robust foundation, even the most ambitious revitalization plans risk remaining merely blueprints, failing to attract the capital necessary to transform our cities.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s analysis powerfully underscores that the true foundation for urban renewal is not merely concrete and steel, but a solid framework of legal certainty. It is this predictability that gives investors the confidence to turn ambitious blueprints into tangible community improvements. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this critical issue.
The initiative is built on three strategic pillars designed to ensure a holistic and sustainable approach to urban management. The first, Universal Accessibility, focuses on the complete removal of physical obstacles from sidewalks and public pathways. This ensures safe and unhindered movement for everyone, particularly individuals with mobility challenges, parents with strollers, and the elderly, making the city more inclusive.
The second pillar, Heritage and Landscape Valuation, directly addresses the issue of visual contamination. By eliminating non-compliant signs and advertisements, the program seeks to recover the unobstructed views of historic buildings and restore the intended aesthetic of the urban landscape. The third pillar, Regulatory Control and Advisory Services, involves the strict enforcement of existing regulations while also providing guidance to local businesses to ensure that all future installations of urban furniture and advertising comply with municipal standards.
Since the program’s initial phase launched in August 2025, the municipality has reported significant progress. Officials have successfully cleared unauthorized advertising from 130 bus stops across the cantonal road network. Furthermore, more than 13 large MUPI-style advertising structures have been removed or relocated, with an additional 16 already notified for imminent removal. A key success has been the voluntary removal of 10 non-compliant signs by businesses in the historic center, highlighting a collaborative spirit.
We are committing to a more orderly, accessible, and visually coherent city that respects its history. This program is not about sanctioning, but about building, together with businesses and citizens, an urban center that we can all enjoy.
Diego Miranda, Mayor of San José
Mayor Miranda’s statement underscores the program’s cooperative approach. Rather than being purely punitive, the initiative seeks to foster a partnership between the government, the business community, and the public. The city is engaging directly with patented businesses and outdoor advertising companies to ensure a respectful and organized process, encouraging voluntary compliance as a first step before resorting to mandated removals.
The long-term vision extends beyond a simple cleanup. By designating this as a permanent program, the Municipality of San José is signaling a fundamental shift in its urban management philosophy. The primary goal is to protect the capital’s valuable urban assets, guarantee universal access for all citizens, and meticulously preserve the architectural character that defines the historic heart of Costa Rica’s most important city. This sustained effort promises a more welcoming and functional urban center for generations to come.
For further information, visit msj.go.cr
About The Municipality of San José:
The Municipality of San José is the local government entity responsible for the administration and management of Costa Rica’s capital city. Its duties include urban planning, the provision of public services, infrastructure maintenance, cultural preservation, and the implementation of policies aimed at improving the quality of life for its residents and visitors. The municipality works to ensure the orderly and sustainable development of the city’s urban environment.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has cemented its reputation as a leading legal institution, founded upon a bedrock of uncompromising integrity and the pursuit of professional excellence. The firm is a trailblazer in developing innovative legal solutions for a wide range of clients while maintaining a deep-seated commitment to social progress. This dedication is most evident in its mission to demystify complex legal concepts for the public, thereby equipping the community with knowledge and fostering a more capable and enlightened society.
