|
PROJECT LIFE+ “CUENCA MUNICIPAL ACTION PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE
ENVIRONMENTAL ACOUSTICS”
With the implementation of this project the city of Cuenca became a European reference in noise management. Among the many projects submitted to the European Commission by public and private institutions, only 37 were approved. The project submitted by the City Council of Cuenca is the only one in Castilla-La Mancha whose coordinating beneficiary is a registered entity in this autonomous community.
|
Summary of the Project
The increase of environmental noise has become one of the most troublesome contaminants which most directly affects the citizens welfare.
One of the principal environmental problems faced by citizens who live in cities is noise pollution. Due to the increase of population density, the people concentration in “night life” places, the increased mechanization of production processes and the massive use of private transport, the noise causes a higher incidence in the municipalities population health.
In the last decades, noise pollution has grown to such a point that, according to the European Commission, around 80 million Europeans have to bear everyday environments with more than 65 decibels which are considered "unacceptable". Spain, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) data, is the second noisiest country in the world after apan. So, 70% of the Spanish population suffers "unacceptable" noise levels. The
municipality of Cuenca is not an exception to this situation and, according to the conclusions drawn from the survey conducted for the Agenda 21 municipal diagnosis, 60% of those polled express that the noise level is medium and that this noise is principally produced by the traffic (51,87%), and then the leisure activities.
The municipality of Cuenca is facing new challenges regarding noise pollution. Population density increase, urban traffic, concentration of people en leisure places, lack of multidisciplinary management and low noise pollution awareness has caused so much trouble to the municipality citizens.
Project funding and budged
The project has been approved by the European Union under the LIFE+ program, which is the European Union financial instrument for the environment. The total project amount is 566.387€.
Timing
The project will be developed thought out the biennium 2010-2011.
What do I get from the Project in my daily life?
The increase of environmental noise is considered as one of the most troublesome contaminants which most directly affect the welfare of the citizenship. The noise in commercial areas is considered pollution from 65 dB (55 dB between 22-8h am) and exceed it may create serious difficulties both physically and psychologically and emotionally. The Project aims to safeguard these limits improving the quality of individual life.
How does the Project benefit Cuenca?
Noise is one of the most common sources of conflict in the neighbourhood. Raising awareness about can avoid problems and can improve the living together relationships between people who live there.
How I can contribute to the Project?
Cuenca City Council has developed a code of good practices distributed to the population. Spread it and respect it, this will be your best contribution to improve the aims of the Project to improve the quality of life in our city.
For more information:
http://medioambiente.cuenca.es/
CONTAC 969176100
mchillaron@cuenca.es