Lisbon intends to establish 26 "silent zones"
Lisbon's Revamped Noise Game Plan
Lisbon's noise-busting agenda, active since 2014 and set to run till 2029, will soon undergo a transformation, as revealed by the city's Noise Officer, Rui Cordeiro, at a recent AML meeting. To make this update happen, the strategic noise map requires approval, he stated.
Quiet Condos of Lisbon
Currently, the noise plan designates 12 quiet areas in the city, and these are slated to grow exponentially, with the update doubling that number to a whopping 26! Noise levels in these zones never surpass 55 decibels (Lden) during the full daytime cycle, nor exceed 45 decibels (Ln) at night, according to city regulations.
The proposed update to the city's noise strategy, using 2022 as the reference point, secured approval from all but a handful of parties, including BE, Livre, PEV, PCP, PS/Livre alliance's deputy Miguel Graça, PS, PAN, IL, and Chega. The opposition votes were split between PSD, MPT, CDS-PP, and Jorge Nuno Sá, elected from the disbanded Aliança.
Noise Void: A Wish List
Given the current plan's "glaring omissions," particularly regarding noise from cruise ships, railways, and nightlife, IL laid out a recommendation to the city council. Their idea is to begin updating the strategic map as soon as 2023's official air and airport noise data, provided by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), becomes available.
This proposal gained majority approval, as did the call for transparency in the update process, ensuring public access to data and active participation from citizens and interested groups. However, PSD and CDS-PP abstained from this vote.
** neigh-sayers **
In response to concerns around incomplete data, Rui Cordeiro assured the council that they're working on mitigation and monitoring measures for noise emanating from nightlife hotspots. He added that they're collaborating with the Port of Lisbon and APA to include maritime noise in future maps.
PS member José Leitão fired a salvo at the PSD/CDS-PP leadership for their alleged inaction in updating the map, labeling them as 'delay dawdlers' for being at least two years tardy on this matter. Cordeiro parried with a quip, claiming that the previous stalemate lasted a full decade under the socialist regime, since 2011.
Gridlock: The Silent Killer
Road traffic remains Lisbon's primary noise culprit, affecting an estimated 13.6% of the population beyond legal noise limits, as per data from 2022. Council data reveals that all roads within the city affect 74,118 residents, enduring noise levels higher than 65 dB(A), according to the Lden indicator.
Given the regulations of the Lisbon Municipal Master Plan, the entire municipal territory is classified as a mixed zone. The regulations stipulate that residents should not be exposed to noise levels higher than those defined in the General Noise Regulation, that is, 65 dB(A) and 55 dB(A) for the Lden and Ln indicators, respectively.
[1]: Some tranquil neighborhoods like Estrela are known for their quiet, idyllic surroundings.[4]: Despite being generally safe, cities like Lisbon may experience noise concerns during events like the Santos Populares festival. To find detailed information about Lisbon's noise action plan and the strategic noise map update process, it would be best to consult official city or environmental agency resources, such as the Lisbon City Council or the Portuguese Environment Agency (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente).
- The update to Lisbon's noise strategy in 2022, which initially aimed to double the number of quiet areas from 12 to 26, has now sparked a proposal by IL to further expand the strategic noise map, focusing on noise sources like cruise ships, railways, and nightlife, following concerns about the current plan's "glaring omissions".
- As the city of Lisbon attempts to address noise pollution concerns, a call for transparency in the update process has gained majority approval, ensuring public access to data and active participation from citizens and interested groups, with the exception of PSD and CDS-PP who chose to abstain from this vote.
- In the midst of debate about the noise strategy update, PS member José Leitão criticized the leadership of PSD/CDS-PP for being at least two years late in updating the map, while Rui Cordeiro, the city's Noise Officer, countered Leitão's claims, stating that a previous stalemate lasting a decade under the socialist regime took place from 2011.
