New noise abatement plan prepared in Espoo
The City of Espoo has published a new noise abatement action plan. The plan sets out the ways in which the city intends to reduce noise between 2024 and 2028. The aim is to reduce the exposure of residents to both long- and short-term environmental noise. The plan has been drawn up together with the City of Kauniainen.
The action plan is based on the Noise Assessment of Espoo and Kauniainen 2022 completed in 2022. It shows that a quarter of the population of the city of Espoo live in road traffic noise zones. In the plan now published, the city has been looking for ways to reduce noise in the busiest roads and streets.
The noise abatement measures in the plan include land-use planning, noise barriers and quiet areas. The number of people exposed to long-term noise will be reduced by developing a package of guidelines for taking noise into account in land-use planning. Areas perceived as quiet are important recreational areas for residents, and residents’ access to them will be examined. Where possible, noise barriers will be built mainly as supplementary control measures.
"Espoo's long-term goal is to encourage residents to travel more by public transport, bicycle or on foot. Residential areas are also being planned to be more noise-resistant. These objectives, for example, will be promoted through measures planned for the next five-year period," says Maria Favorin Environmental Inspector at the City of Espoo.
Noise abatement is an essential part of Espoo's city planning, and is carried out in cooperation with city residents. Citizens contributed to the preparation of the action plan by responding to a citizens' survey. The responses received were utilised in the plan. Residents also had the opportunity to comment on the draft plan in early 2024. A summary of the comments and opinions expressed on the draft and their responses can be found in the final plan.
Explore the noise abatement action plan 2024–2028.
Find more information on noise and noise abatement in Espoo.