Published: Apr 25, 2012
- Do you know someone who is doing something
to create a healthy soundscape in your working
environment, neighbourhood or municipality—implementing
innovative solutions to noise problems or
creating quiet green areas where the sounds
of birds and bees can be enjoyed? If so,
encourage them to apply for the European
Soundscape Award 2012 which is open for
submission from 25 April, the International
Noise Awareness Day.
Across Europe, at least
100 million people are exposed to damaging
levels of noise from road traffic alone.
Exposure to unwanted noise can cause stress
and interfere with basic activities such
as sleep and study. Prolonged exposure can
also trigger illnesses as serious as hypertension
and cardiovascular disease. Giving people
the opportunity to enjoy greater access
to quiet, natural areas can on the other
hand improve mental and physical health.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) and
the Noise Abatement Society (NAS) want to
raise awareness about the importance of
a healthy soundscape and to reward European
initiatives in the field of noise control
or soundscape management. Any product, campaign,
innovation or scheme offering a creative
solution to a noise problem can be nominated
for the award. The award will be presented
at a ceremony in London on 6 November 2012.
For more information on how to submit an
application, visit the European Soundscape
Award webpage. The deadline for applications
is 7 September 2012.
Last year’s winners
The Dutch province of
Gelderland and the municipality of Wijchen
won the European Soundscape Award 2011 for
their sustainable and integrated traffic
noise reduction solution in the village
of Alverna. The winning project combined
a range of innovative measures to reduce
noise levels. The measures consisted of:
Moving and reducing the number of traffic
lanes
Sinking the road by 0.5m
Constructing low-level sound barriers of
1m on each side of the road
Using special ‘quiet’ asphalt
Reducing the speed limit from 80 to 50 km/h
in Alverna
These measures meant planners were able
to achieve the same effect as installing
the usual unattractive, 4m-high noise barriers.The
project also included a tree planting scheme
to create attractive pedestrian areas. In
addition to the noise reduction benefits,
the full package of measures also increased
road safety, reduced fuel use, helped improve
air quality and quality of life in the village.
The runner-up award was presented to the
Dutch Noise Abatement Society for the ‘Electric
Heroes – Go smart, go electric’ campaign
to encourage the use of electric scooters
in The Hague and Zaanstad.
