Author(s)

Z. Baros & L. Dávid

Abstract

The so-called ‘soft factors’ are playing an increasing role in urban planning. Alternative strategies based on these can include bottom-up initiatives in which citizens intend to find solutions to noise-related problems in their settlement through their participation and in accordance with their requirements. This paper intends to give a brief introduction to the role of individuals regarding their participation in such programmes, based on the literature available and the results of a questionnaire survey carried out in the Town of Debrecen (East Hungary). The results of the survey indicated that the overall picture of the residents’ opinions on noise pollution is rather contradictory: they basically seem to perceive the impacts and the relevance of this issue, however, in general, the respondents did not recognise their own roles in resolving the problem itself – neither as ‘polluters’ nor as ‘endurers’. Keywords: noise nuisance, sustainable urban development, liveability, mental infrastructure, public participation, noise prevention programmes 1 Introduction Humankind seeks better quality and more secure housing. On the basis of the available literature, it is quite difficult to define better quality housing. One aspect, however, is clear, a healthy physical or built environment is a necessary precondition for the viability of settlements [1]. The condition of the environment (i.e., air, soil, water, noise, etc.) is, in addition to the quality of life, one of the main factors influencing urban tourism [2], a sector considered to be a major priority in the economic development of the town of Debrecen, which is the focus of this study.

Keywords

noise nuisance, sustainable urban development, liveability, mental infrastructure, public participation, noise prevention programmes