Optimizing urban landscapes in regard to noise pollution

Abstract

Abstract This paper studies urban development trends, both in residential and non-residential areas, and tries to optimize its design in order to obtain increased acoustic comfort especially inside dwellings. Noise pollution is an actual problem in all developed countries and it plays a major role in the decreased general health state of the population, being one of many causes of stress based diseases. In order to improve the comfort of living in noisy areas multiple solutions regarding acoustic treatments and sound insulation are constantly improved and are being used around the globe. The main innovation of this study is the approach regarding the noise problem, instead of studying sound insulation materials and techniques it focuses on general urban planning regarding the shape of buildings, and street orientations, positioning new parks and constructing earth embankments, all of these in order to reduce the noise impact on the citizens outside and inside their homes. There were two sites that were studied in some of the noisiest areas in the city of Cluj-Napoca, one regarding railroad noise pollution and one regarding traffic noise, both in residential areas of the city. Results proved that urban planning must be made with some logical considerations regarding sound propagation and amplification mechanisms in order to improve the comfort and people wellbeing in future developments. Original aspects were studied as presented earlier in the different approach of the problem that focuses on avoiding or diminishing the problem rather than attenuating it.