Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Living in a big city is very attractive for many reasons, but involves some inconveniences, which may be harmful to residents.

One of the most annoying problems of every megalopolis is the high noise level, the sources of which include such factors as traffic and overpopulation. Thus, noise can be considered an integral part of a fast-growing city.

The most annoying and highest noise pollution source in the capital Baku is traffic and vehicles, an expert in municipal affairs, Vuqar Tofiqli, believes.

The second most disturbing sound is the noise of construction work and the third one is the noise from neighbors, he said.

Noise pollution causes annoyance and aggression, and develops a variety of health problems -- from high stress levels and sleep disorders to cardiovascular disease and loss of hearing.

Head of the Azerbaijani Free Consumers Union Eyyub Huseynov believes that the most polluting noises in Baku are construction noise, then traffic noise and other noisemakers.

One way or the other, construction and traffic are considered to be two main sources of the noise pollution.

Many Baku residents would say that earsplitting car horns in the middle of the night and thundering construction noise from the early morning have become an inseparable part of their lives.

Noise haunts citizens all day long on the street, in the underground, at work, in cafes and restaurants, and even in parks and leisure areas.

The number of vehicles increases by 75,000 to 85,000 a year in Azerbaijan and has now reached some 1,150,000. About 70 percent of the country's cars are used in the capital city.

At the same time, the growing population leads to a construction boom in Baku. According to the State Statistics Committee, the volume of housing construction in the country reached 1.922 million square meters in 2012, which is 7 percent more than in the previous year.

The developing city of Baku has great plans for the future, one of which is the Greater Baku plan. The Plan envisions future development of the city with its 11 surrounding areas, Sumgayit, the country's third largest city, and the entire Absheron Peninsula until 2030.

These main noise reasons are inevitable in megalopolises. However, there is special legislation on the noise level in the country since 2009, which envisions observance of standards by noisemakers like construction zones, plants, vehicles, etc. Abiding by these standards may ease the noise pollution damage in the modern city.

Noise norms are in place in many countries and define the level of noise depending on the place and time in question.

The acceptable daytime noise levels range from 55 decibels (dB) to 70 dB, while the admissible night-time noise levels range from 45 dB to 60 dB. The workplace noise level is some 60 dB in offices and 80 dB in workshops.

However, the world's noisiest cities such as Tokyo, Nagasaki and New York have long surpassed the 80-decibel limit, and other growing cities keep pacing these joyless rates. Baku, home for over 40 percent of some nine million country, is not an exception.

There are some solutions to reduce the noise in the city. Roadway noise can be reduced by the use of noise barriers, limitation of vehicle speeds or limitation of the use of heavy-duty vehicles.

Noise mitigation techniques can reduce construction noise. Mobile noise barriers, sound absorptive barriers and screens are extensively used worldwide.