Noise Control in Urban Planning

The impact of noise upon the health and well-being of the population is described. Noise represents a major environmental problem capable of being a nuisance or hazard to the population. A method for appraising the implicated health effects of noise is shown. Noise problems associated with both ground and air transportation systems are presented. Effective environmental solutions are necessary to control noise at the source, path, and object. The role of urban planning in mitigating noise impact is assessed, and examples are presented. Several land use management techniques can contribute toward abating noise, including site design analysis, environmental zoning, building codes, and noise ordinances. As land use management is essential for an effective noise control program—existing and proposed environmental legislation and policies, primarily at the federal level, require more planning activity. The future noise status of urban areas depends heavily upon controls either initiated by or implemented by the urban planning profession.