Experiences of implementation of soundscapes in policies

Paper in proceeding, 2007

Noise is difficult to manage from the political side. The reason is that there is no technological fix available on the source side and that the discrepance between the existing situation and the desired one is so great. When discussing policy results, it is necessary to distinguish between the local level, the national public agency level (non-departemental public body), the national political level and the EU/international level. The results from our research has influenced the public agency level in Sweden, but much less the national political level. Access to a ”quiet side” has become an important element in the planning when the noise level at the directly exposed side of dwellings does not fulfil the national guidelines. A clear definition of the concept has also been set (Leq24h<45 dB freefield with the relation +3dB 2 m from facade wall and +6dB at the facade wall). From the agency level, revised formulations of the national environmental goals have also been proposed as a result of our research results. On the EU level, in the Directive 2002/49/EC, the concepts quiet areas and ”quiet facades” have been introduced and should be part of the national reports to the Commission.