Noise in Europe | 24 April 2017 | Brussels The network of major European cities NOISE POLLUTION THE WAY FORWARD FROM CITIES’S PERSPECTIVE Noise in Europe | 24 April 2017 | Brussels Filipe Araújo

Founded in 1986, representing cities of over 250,000 inhabitants 135 members and 40+ partners from 38 countries, representing 130 million city-dwellers 45 associated partners Most European capitals are members

Main purpose Expose Noise impact in cities and share cities casestudies Environmental Noise Directive's entry in "pre- adolescent phase" – good time to evaluate it Overall policy impact of the END and Remarks and ideas for taking END to the next level

1 Million ‘healthy life years’ are lost every year ! Noise impacts in cities and examples of how cities are tackling noise 22.000 DALYs for tinnitus 903 000 DALYs for sleep disturbance 1 Million ‘healthy life years’ are lost every year ! 654 000 DALYs for annoyance 61 000 DALYs for ischaemic heart diseas 45.000 DALYs for cognitive impairment 1 DALY (“Disability-adjusted life years”) = 1 year of "healthy" life lost Source: WHO (2011)

Noise impacts in cities and examples of how cities are tackling noise Berlin Rotterdam Porto

> 120 bars/pubs/disco within a 2 Km2 area Thousands of people socializing in open space Insecurity, waste, savage car parking, ilegal street trading of drinks and food, disrespect for opening/closing hours… 15 families exposed Extraordinary positive impact on local economy = huge noise impact on a minority Impossible noise input individualization

80 sound limiters installed and permanent monitored 99% of bares are working with sound control and a minority demands local inspections Zero noise complains Indoor noise controlled

END's main achievements positive aspects and how they empowered local action Noise Maps and Actions Plans dissemination – how it motivated cities to take action. Member state empowerment on noise action plans' effectiveness Awareness raise on noise issues

Cities need a more compelling END towards EU source policies END's critical balance what cities need?

END's critical balance what cities need? Competent bodies to actually reduce noise levels Paradigm shift needed among transport stakeholders and consumers Room for improvement on: Public Engagement process, Citizen Science, Data collecting and modelling and subsequent Comparability between Member States

END's critical balance what cities need? Noise mitigation should focus on eliminating over exposition rather than "reduction to a certain level“ Structural funds pointed to noise mitigation Actions plans should set "SMART" objectives and target oriented with a clear time frame Urgent need for clarifying definitions (such as "Quiet Areas", "Agglomerations", "Harmful effects”) + standardization of accounting for exposed population

Remarks and clues to the future Reflect at the EU level on noise limit targets for actions plans, eventually considering alternative modalities >>> a la CO2 emission reduction