PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Noise pollution is an environment problem that affects the population of the European Union in a very direct way. According to an OECD study, out of the 826 million people living in OECD member countries, some 50% are exposed to traffic noise of over 55 dB and some 16% to traffic noise of over 65dB. In the 5th Environmental Action Plan (1993-2000), the European Union has set itself ambitious targets by stating that: “no person should be exposed to noise levels which endanger health and the quality of life.” According to a progress report on the 5th Action Plan, 11% of the urban population are exposed to a noise level of 70 dB. In most cities noise disturbance in densely built up urban areas exceeds limits and guide values by a wide margin. At the same time subjective nuisance from noise is increasing. Noise abatement is therefore an important issue for municipal environmental policy to address. The project contributes to the implementation of Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 (in particular Article 9), relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. The results of the project may also contribute to the goals of this Directive in terms of strategic noise mapping (Article 7) and action plans (Article 8).
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the "SYLVIE" project included: • noise abatement (reduction in noise exposure and nuisance); • increased awareness of the problem among interested parties, as a precondition for the effective exploitation of existing opportunities; • application of a consultative noise abatement procedure, to be implemented in selected urban areas to try and improve the situation. These areas would include those contributing to the noise problem and those affected by the noise and; • subjective and objective noise measurements.
RESULTS
The main project achievements can be presented as follows. An analysis of the densely built-up urban area of Vienna and a detailed analysis of the selected pilot area (parts of the 5th and 12th Vienna district) were elaborated. In total, 200 different sites with noise-related problems were identified. Out of these 200 sites, 9 particularly representative ones were analyzed in greater detail and a number of pilot projects were introduced. Noise from pubs and noise caused by public events 1. Consultative noise abatement procedure at the Siebensternplatz 2. Consultative noise abatement procedure at the Siebenbrunnenplatz 3. Pilot Project "Noise reduced Parks" Traffic Noise 4. Pilot Project "Noise Protection Westeinfahrt" (noise by road traffic) 5. Pilot Project for the block of flats in the Theodor-Körner-Hof (noise by road and railway) 6. Pilot Project "Noise reducing driving of public buses" Noise by economic activities 7. Pilot Project "Noise reduced Post Office" 8. Pilot Project "Noise reduced supplying traffic" 9. Pilot Project "Noise reduced Waste Disposal by the public administration" • The project dealt with a consultative noise abatement process. Selected sites were analysed and solutions were worked out in co-operation with the noise polluter and the affected population. The consultative noise abatement procedure is in keeping with the framework of Local Agenda 21. This procedure and the whole communication concept involved the affected population to a large extent in finding solutions. • The initiation of pilot projects for the improvement of the noise situation were implemented and monitored. Objective criteria, e.g. the scientific background of noise exposure, as well as subjective arguments were taken into account. Public awareness, subjective noise sensitivity and public measures were key elements of the project. • A modular noise online information system was established (www.sylvie.at and www.lois.wien.at) for the local authorities, administration, experts and interested citizens At the selected sites the noise pollution situation improved. The main lesson of the project was that certain noise pollution problems, for which criteria are defined, can be solved through mediation. This approach could be adopted by other noise pollution projects in urban areas. The main project achievements can be presented as follows. An analysis of the densely built-up urban area of Vienna and a detailed analysis of the selected pilot area (parts of the 5th and 12th Vienna district) were elaborated. In total, 200 different sites with noise-related problems were identified. Out of these 200 sites, 9 particularly representative ones were analyzed in greater detail and a number of pilot projects were introduced. Noise from pubs and noise caused by public events 1. Consultative noise abatement procedure at the Siebensternplatz 2. Consultative noise abatement procedure at the Siebenbrunnenplatz 3. Pilot Project "Noise reduced Parks" Traffic Noise 4. Pilot Project "Noise Protection Westeinfahrt" (noise by road traffic) 5. Pilot Project for the block of flats in the Theodor-Körner-Hof (noise by road and railway) 6. Pilot Project "Noise reducing driving of public buses" Noise by economic activities 7. Pilot Project "Noise reduced Post Office" 8. Pilot Project "Noise reduced supplying traffic" 9. Pilot Project "Noise reduced Waste Disposal by the public administration" • The project dealt with a consultative noise abatement process. Selected sites were analysed and solutions were worked out in co-operation with the noise polluter and the affected population. The consultative noise abatement procedure is in keeping with the framework of Local Agenda 21. This procedure and the whole communication concept involved the affected population to a large extent in finding solutions. • The initiation of pilot projects for the improvement of the noise situation were implemented and monitored. Objective criteria, e.g. the scientific background of noise exposure, as well as subjective arguments were taken into account. Public awareness, subjective noise sensitivity and public measures were key elements of the project. • A modular noise online information system was established (www.sylvie.at and www.lois.wien.at) for the local authorities, administration, experts and interested citizens At the selected sites the noise pollution situation improved. The main lesson of the project was that certain noise pollution problems, for which criteria are defined, can be solved through mediation. This approach could be adopted by other noise pollution projects in urban areas.
