Q COSTARICA — The increasing installation of telecommunications poles in residential areas has generated a wave of complaints from residents in various parts of the country.
Communities in San José, Heredia, and other areas assert that the proliferation of telecommunications poles is progressing without control or planning, negatively impacting urban aesthetics, pedestrian mobility, and citizen safety.
The issue gained prominence following a recent ruling by the Administrative Appeals Court, under case number 25-001168-1027-CA-2, which upheld the closure of a telecommunications pole in Pavas for violating the General Law of Public Roads.
The ruling orders that the closure seals remain visible, after determining that the structure posed an “imminent risk” by encroaching on the right-of-way, being located on a curve, and—according to residents—having been constructed without any technical basis.
Residents affected by the increasing installation of telecommunications towers complain that narrow streets, encroached sidewalks, and repetitive structures are transforming their communities into unsafe, cluttered, and visually overwhelming environments.
In addition to the aesthetic impact, they warn of safety and mobility risks. For example, some residents assert that the infrastructure lacks stability, as it concentrates a great deal of weight without a solid foundation, posing an imminent danger, especially in residential areas with high pedestrian traffic, including senior citizens and children.
Furthermore, they allege visual pollution, since many of these new towers are being built in parks and on public sidewalks, preventing them from exercising their right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment.
Finally, other residents claim that the lack of technical expertise in the installation of these structures is jeopardizing road safety, the physical integrity of individuals, and consequently, human life.
Lack of urban planning and regulatory gap
The court ruling has reignited the debate about the lack of planning in the installation of telecommunications poles. While the country is making progress in implementing next-generation networks, the installation of structures is being carried out—according to experts—without a comprehensive public policy that guarantees a balance between connectivity, sustainability, and urban order.
“What we are seeing is the result of years of improvisation. Technology is vital for development, but it must be integrated harmoniously into our cities,” stated architect and urban planning expert Adriana Fuentes Fernández.
Currently, to install a telecommunications structure, the interested company must request permission directly from each municipality, based on a regulation that does not prioritize the shared use of telecommunications towers and, on the contrary, incentivizes the indiscriminate and low-cost use of public space. For this reason, one can now see cantons in the country where up to three structures from different operators exist in the same area.
“It’s not about halting connectivity, but about planning it with vision. Every poorly placed or duplicated pole represents a setback in the quality of public space, which is the soul of our cities. Likewise, when they are installed without taking the necessary precautions, they can pose a significant risk to residents,” Fuentes stated. “Clearly, nobody wants a telecommunications pole installed in front of their house when there are many other options for building orderly infrastructure in harmony with the city,” he commented.
Fuentes explains that the situation not only affects urban coexistence but also the potential for sustainable development.
“Public space is not an empty lot where anything goes; it is a common good that reflects who we are as a society. If we don’t plan, we will turn our cities into congested, unsafe, and unlivable areas,” Fuentes declared. “In Latin America, public space is a scarce resource, and every square meter must be managed as a priority in conjunction with the communities because, ultimately, public space belongs to all citizens,” he added.
Given this situation, urban planning specialists agree on the urgent need for a coordinated national plan that prioritizes the efficient use of existing infrastructure and incorporates technical and environmental criteria. They also urge municipalities to get involved so that—together with citizens—a decision can be made regarding public space and future urban development related to telecommunications.
“Costa Rica faces a crucial challenge today, and as a society, we urgently need the competent authorities to address this critical situation for the benefit of all the country’s inhabitants,” Fuentes concluded.