The following map overlaps the distribution of advertisements in the French Concession over the period 1926-193- with the advertising zone drawn by the French Municipal Council, within which it was permitted to erect advertisements. 

The French Municipal Council designed the first authorized zone (zone autorisée) in 1926. While the river naturally fixed the eastern limit, the border with the international Settlement delineated the northern limit, and the Chinese district marked the southern limit. From 1926 onwards, this preliminary zoning knew two revisions in 1929 and 1930. The authorized zone gradually (and rapidly) expanded on the Western front, in consistence with the process of urbanization, until merging with the actual limits of the Settlement. In 1930, it became clear that the concept of authorized zone was not relevant any more. As a result, French authorities shifted their spatial policy from authorized to restricted zones.