Soundscape support to health
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WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE?A majority of the population live in soundscapes that they experience as disturbing. Noise is a significant and growing environmental problem which affects our health. It is the only environment factor for which complaints received from the general public have gone up since 1992. There is a large gap between the actual noise pollution level and the long-term objectives formulated by authorities in various European countries. The gap is also large between the noise level (< 55dB) established as acceptable in these long-term objectives and the noise level that represents a good outdoor environment as far as perception and health are concerned (< 45dB).HOW CAN THE PROGRAMME CONTRIBUTE TO A SOLUTION?
The aim of the programme is to increase knowledge on how soundscapes can be improved and how people's perception of sound (noise) can affect their health and well-being. Based on this knowledge, methods, tools and models will be developed with the help of which as healthy soundscapes as possible can be predicted and created in connection with urban and traffic planning. The aim is to have soundscapes considered from the outset when new buildings are constructed and supplementary building work is carried out in noisy areas. A varied soundscape is being tested with one quiet and one noisy side of the building.
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE RESULTS?
The construction industry. Housing companies. Central, regional and local authorities responsible for traffic and urban planning. Consumers (residents).
