Toronto's 'Info Pillars' Get Hacked

A group of "urban hacktivists" have been busy transforming Toronto's ubiquitous and ironically named "info pillars" (read: street billboards) into community platforms and art pieces, protesting their improper design and instillation.

1 minute read

July 24, 2012, 11:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Earlier this month, Toronto residents may have noticed the ads in their street billboards replaced with "playful items such as entire bikes, art maps, and even chalkboard space for public contributions," writes Emma Chow. Apparently the hacktivism project is not simply an art exercise, but a protest against "the erosion and privatization of public spaces" and for the billboards' circumvention of the City's approved Vibant Streets Guidelines.

The group responsible for hacking 35 advertisement signs across Toronto, cARTographyTO, seems to have been formed in direct response to the actions of the city and advertising company Astral Media, who removed trees and bike racks "at the comapany's whim" when installing their signs.

A spokesperson for cARTographyTO stated, "These
structures are billboards masquerading as sources of useful public
information. When you look at the pillars, it's hard to find the maps,
and this goes against the City's own public space guidelines. How could
City Hall allow this to happen? Beyond mere visual pollution, these
pillars are a safety hazard. And Astral's influence on our city is a
public insult and embarrassment - more power has been given to those who
already have the loudest voices, to the detriment of all who use these
spaces."

 

Monday, July 23, 2012 in The Pop-Up City

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight