A good number of old cultural signs were destroyed in the process specially in Bairro da Liberdade where Asian migration happened. All those beautiful neon kanji signs were removed. As someone who lives in São Paulo for decades I say that the city is uglier than ever.
Assuming one might feel safe enough to walk on them.
Because of loss of light from the signs?
By the same token sign removal should open up the street potentially making it feel safer.
Not loss of light. Just extra violence due to economic/social upheaval I'd say.