Noise environmental pollution is an enormous problem in many urban areas. Therefore, the EU Directive 2002149 was adopted to combat noise pollution. According to this Directive, EU member states should develop means to map transport noise in agglomerations of more than 250,000 inhabitants as well as at major roads, railways and airports throughout their countries.

The project 'CYNOISE' was implemented within the framework of the LIFE3rd Countries programme. The project aims to establish the capabilities and infrastructure for the Cyprus competent authorities to enable the design and implementation of a Noise Policy according to EU Directive 2002149. The beneficiary of the project is the Environment Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment. Through the thirty-six months implementation of the project by the Environment Service and the
partners, the targets set were achieved leading to many benefits for the Environment Service and other authorities involved in the noise policy field.

In the first phase of the project, the project study areas were selected. Selection criteria included land use, demographic
characteristics and size of study areas in order to ensure the areas  to be representative. 30 study areas were selected, which consist of approximately 160 measurement locations. The project included agglomerations, major highways, industrial complexes and the Larnaka Airport.

Noise monitoring was undertaken by equipment conforming to IS0 1996 Standards. Noise assessment was made with state of the art software for the calculation of road and air traffic and industrial noise.

The assessment of the negative impacts resulting from noise pollution was based on a combination of interviews, demographic
data and measured /simulated noise levels.

Noise Maps were constructed with the use of the IMMl noise prediction software for four study locations. Noise maps incorporate environmental noise, demographic and land use information and utilize both noise software predictions and the measurements
databases.

The dissemination of the project results included the creation of a web page, a one-day conference, a workshop and dissemination of the project results to interested administrations, national and international organizations and concerned citizens.

The project provided the competent authorities with the tools necessary for the design and implementation of a Noise Policy according to EU Directive 2002149.

Specific results included:

The Cyprus Environment Service

CYNOISE is the implementation of the EU Directive 2002149. It was funded by the LIFE programme of DG Environment.

Environment Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment

01/06/2002

case

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Environmental sustainability

Noise