Palma to be studied for “noise map”

A group of professionals from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) will develop a noise map of Palma with the aim of quantifying the impact of acoustic contamination on the quality of life of the citizens and recommmend measures which could lessen its intensity. The head of the UPM, Javier Uceda; the director of the Acoustic Engineering department of the University, Manuel Recuero; and the councillor for the Environment, Catalina Terrassa, yesterday signed an agreement of collaboration between the University and the Palma Council and a second agreement to develop the aforementioned noise map. Traffic is the principal factor generating noise in Spanish towns, above everything else such as airports or leisure areas, although these are also important points of focus, said Recuero. Its impact also has grave consequences for the quality of life of the population, a question which is among the principal preoccupations of the European Union because around 400 million Europeans are already affected by noise which exceeds normal levels. Because of this, all towns with more than 250'000 inhabitants must have a noise map before June 30 2007.
The Acoustic Engineering group expect to have the noise map of Palma finished before April 2007 so that the necessary measures, according to its results, can be put in place to lessen the noise in the Balearic capital, where it changes significantly with the seasons due to tourism.