Efforts to Clean Up Batam’s Visual Landscape Begin with Removal of Illegal Billboards
The Batam City Government is addressing an urgent issue: 712 illegal billboards scattered across the city that violate urban planning regulations. This initiative follows a commitment to improving the city’s aesthetic appeal, ensuring public safety, and optimizing revenue from advertising.
As part of an ongoing effort to maintain a cleaner, more organized urban environment, the Batam City Government (Pemko Batam) has identified 712 unlicensed billboards. These structures do not align with the city’s approved master plan and have raised concerns about their negative impact on the city’s appearance, potential safety hazards, and lost revenue opportunities. The plan to resolve this issue was announced during a recent meeting led by Batam’s City Secretary, Jefridin Hamid.
Batam Authorities Addressing Aesthetic and Safety Concerns
Batam’s rapid urbanization has led to an unchecked rise in billboards, many of which have been installed without the necessary permits. The city is now taking action as part of a broader initiative to restore its aesthetic appeal while prioritizing public safety. According to Jefridin, this effort is crucial for ensuring that Batam continues to develop in an organized and visually appealing manner while maintaining safety and maximizing advertising revenue.
The joint effort between Pemko Batam and the Batam Free Trade Zone Authority (BP Batam) will see these unlicensed billboards dismantled and replaced with more strategically placed, approved advertising structures. BP Batam will also help guide the rental of land for new billboards, ensuring that all advertising complies with the relevant urban planning regulations. A newly proposed master plan will be unveiled shortly to streamline the placement of billboards and further enhance Batam’s visual appeal.
A key aspect of the enforcement plan is adherence to the regulations outlined in Batam’s 2024 Mayor’s Regulation (Perwako). This mandates that all advertising structures must have the approval of the mayor and be based on recommendations from the Urban Planning Team. The regulations ensure that all advertising contributes positively to the city’s environment while avoiding visual clutter or safety risks.
In addition to removing illegal billboards, the Batam government is preparing a new master plan for future advertising spaces. This strategic initiative aims to regulate billboard placement across the city to prevent disorder and promote a harmonious, well-maintained urban landscape. Jefridin emphasized that the plan will be comprehensive, reflecting the city’s growth while balancing economic activity with aesthetic concerns.
Building a Safer, More Attractive Batam
The removal of illegal billboards is expected to create a more streamlined, attractive cityscape. This initiative aligns with Batam’s broader vision of becoming a city that is both economically prosperous and visually pleasant. Jefridin’s leadership, supported by the cooperation of local authorities, promises a more coordinated approach to urban development that benefits both residents and businesses alike.
The removal of illegal billboards in Batam marks an important step in the city’s effort to enhance both safety and its visual appeal. By addressing these unlicensed structures, the Batam government aims to create a more organized and aesthetically pleasing urban environment, setting the stage for future growth and development.
Sources: Gokepri (2025), Posmetro (2025)
Keywords: Batam, Billboards, Illegal Advertising, Urban Safety, City Aesthetic
