Evaluation of resident awareness of strategic noise maps in the Wawer district of Warsaw

Dominika Agnieszka Kumorek

doi:10.37190/arc240410

Summary

The article analyzes the level of awareness among residents of the Wawer district in Warsaw regarding the existence and potential use of strategic noise maps. The results of research on the knowledge of this planning tool and its potential impact on the quality of life in the city are presented. Special attention is paid to public education in the field of noise protection.

✨ Summary generated by Artificial Intelligence. The actual Abstract can be found in the article below.

Keywords:
noise maps
public awareness
warsaw

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2024

4(80)

Dominika Agnieszka Kumorek*

Evaluation of awareness of existence and potential use

of strategic noise maps among residents

of the Wawer district in Warsaw

DOI: 10.37190/arc240410

Published in open access. CC BY NC ND license

Abstract

Noise pollution currently stands as one of the foremost environmental threats. It has a negative impact on both the physical and mental well-being

of users inhabiting aected spaces. It results in diculties in everyday functioning, and with prolonged exposure, even permanent damage to health.

The problem intensies with the number of newly created noise sources and is particularly oppressive in areas where it did not occur until intensive

development. Strategic noise maps (SNM) serve as a valuable tool to help in the ght against the constantly spreading noise. They are used to assess

the level of noise in the environment and develop eective protection programs against it. Unfortunately, despite widespread availability, an obvious

barrier to the full use of strategic noise maps is low public awareness of their existence, content, and potential utility. The article presents an original

study aimed at assessing the awareness of residents of the Wawer district of Warsaw about the existence and possibilities of using strategic noise

maps. The study used an online survey in which respondents shared their experiences and opinions about strategic noise maps. The survey results

clearly showed that residents’ awareness of the existence and concept of strategic noise maps is low. At the same time, awareness of the benets of

using strategic noise maps is quite high. The respondents also listed a number of barriers that they perceive as obstacles to their full use. The ndings

of the study led to conclusions, proposing solutions that could increase this awareness.

Key words: acoustics, strategic noise maps, noise, soundscape

Introduction

The research problem addressed in this paper pertains to

the level of public awareness regarding the existence and

potential applications of strategic noise maps (hereinafter:

SNM). An analysis of the existing literature revealed a lack

of information on this topic. The level of awareness is par-

ticularly crucial in areas that, for many years, have been

considered quiet and requiring no intervention, but which

now require special protection. In the case of Warsaw, this

issue can be explored through the example of the Wawer

district, which, despite the dynamic spatial changes of re-

cent years, is still considered quiet and peaceful. The aim

of the study presented in this article is to assess the degree

of familiarity of its residents with the term “strategic noise

maps” and their range of applications. The research meth

od adopted was an online survey, divided into two parts:

the rst part focused on the respondents’ knowledge and

their potential experiences with the use of SNM, while the

second invited them to share their opinions on the poten-

tial benets of using and promoting SNM, as well as the

barriers that limit their full utilization. The survey was dis-

tributed via the internet through one of the most popular

forums related to the district’s daily matters: “Wawer moja

dzielnica” [Wawer my district]. Responses were collected

in March and April 2024. The conclusions were presented

in the form of proposed solutions that could contribute to

the dissemination of knowledge about strategic noise maps.

The research section was preceded by a literature review,

including a verication of the current state of research at the

time of publication.

ORCID: 0009-0000-3477-5558. Faculty of Architecture, Warsaw

University of Technology Doctoral School, Poland, e-mail: dominika.

kumorek.dokt@pw.edu.pl

100 Dominika Agnieszka Kumorek

tion, and formats for their dissemination are specied in

the Regulation of the Minister of Climate and Environment

(Rozporządzenie… 2021).

The process of creating a strategic noise map begins with

the introduction of a terrain model, including land-use data.

The next step involves incorporating information about

acoustic sources, such as the type of sources, trac ow

structures and volumes, materials, and construction details.

Once the data is entered, the model is calibrated using ac-

tual measurements conducted in the eld. A completed stra-

tegic noise map allows us to read long-term noise assess-

ment indicators and see the spatial extent of their inuence

(Nurzyński 2021). This serves as a main data source for

making informed planning decisions (Pawłat-Zawrzykraj

2021). Two key indicators typically included in SNM are

den

(pol. L

DWN

) representing the noise level during day-

time, evening, and nighttime, and L

night

(pol. L

), repre-

senting nighttime noise levels. The L

den

indicator is used to

assess the general annoyance caused by noise, while L

night

used to evaluate the risk of sleep disturbances (Kossakow-

ski 2012). Both indicators are values in decibels. The graph-

ical representation of a strategic noise map includes contour

lines or colour patches, which indicate the areas aected by

specic noise levels, shown in 5-decibel intervals. In addi-

tion to noise evaluation indicators, strategic noise maps also

provide information on the […] number of people exposed

to noise, the number of dwellings, schools, and hospitals

located in those areas, as well as areas where permissible

or threshold values are exceeded (Nurzyński 2021, 82).

Benefits and barriers in the current state of research

In the current state of research, the benets associated

with understanding the data presented in strategic noise

maps are analysed from a multidimensional perspective.

What is of particular importance, especially for potential

residents and investors in newly developed areas, is the eco-

nomic aspect. Studies conducted in urban areas of Poland

demonstrate that the presence of noise in a prospective res-

idential location signicantly inuences its attractiveness

(Szopińska 2018). Road trac noise is especially prob-

lematic, as it substantially diminishes the quality of daily

life and, consequently, aects property prices (Szopińska,

Putek-Szeląg and Krajewska 2017). This issue impacts all

individuals residing in regions where noise levels are ele-

vated. As the intensity of noise-related nuisances increases,

the market value of aected properties declines, resulting

in nancial losses for property owners (Lipowczan 2013).

Access to the information contained within SNM allows

prospective residents to make informed decisions regard-

ing their choice of residence based on individual priorities

(e.g., cost versus noise exposure). For investors, this infor-

mation highlights the nancial consequences of situating

developments in areas exposed to noise pollution, while

for existing residents, it provides insights into the stability

of their property values.

An intriguing issue is the right to claims arising from the

impact of disruptive sounds that disturb peace in residential

areas (Nowosad, Poniatowski 2023), commonly referred to

as neighbour noise. Under the provisions of the environmen-

State of research

The denition of noise is often expressed using various

terms. Noise is described as […] any unwanted, unpleas-

ant, or bothersome sound occurring in a particular place,

time, and circumstances (gov.pl 2024), as well as […] un-

desirable, unpleasant, bothersome, or harmful mechanical

vibrations of an elastic medium, transmitted through the

air to the auditory organ, the senses, and parts of the hu-

man body (Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy 2024). A common

element in most denitions is the use of adjectives referring

to subjective impressions, which depend on the individual

perception of each person. The impact of noise on the hu-

man body has led to its recognition as an escalating social

problem (Sadowski 1971). Today, the threat is particularly

high, considering that noise, being invisible to the naked

eye and often fading from public awareness in the pres-

ence of other stimuli, requires attentiveness to its perva-

sive nature, which is easily overlooked amid the overload

of daily responsibilities. The problem is especially acute

in highly urbanized areas, where the soundscape

is dom-

inated by continuous noise. The eects of long-term noise

exposure on the human body are undeniably negative and

are associated not only with physical damage but also with

psychological harm (Sadowski 1971). It is therefore not

surprising that in recent years, noise has earned the title of

the […] plague of the 21

century (Goines, Hagler 2007),

as it brings about a number of health consequences, from

fatigue, irritability, and insomnia to permanent hearing

loss and damage to internal organs (Leśnikowska-Matu-

siak, Wnuk 2014). One of the tools aimed at alleviating the

burdensome characteristics of the soundscape, particularly

those associated with noise, is strategic noise mapping.

Strategic noise maps

Strategic noise maps are acoustic maps created in accor-

dance with specic conditions outlined in European Union

and national legislation. Their primary purpose is to assess

and manage environmental noise levels (Dyrektywa…

2002). The practical application of the data contained in

these maps lies mainly in the development of preventive

programs and action plans designed to protect public health

from noise exposure. In Poland, the criteria for areas re-

quiring the preparation of strategic noise maps are dened

by the Environmental Protection Act (Ustawa… 2001). Ac-

cording to the Act: Strategic noise maps are prepared for:

cities with populations exceeding 100,000; major roads;

major railway lines; and major airports (Usta

wa… 2001,

Art. 118. 2), with the obligation to update them every ve

years. The detailed scope of data, methods of presenta-

The concept of the soundscape was popularized by Canadian com-

poser Raymond Murray Schafer, known for his research on the sonic en-

vironment. In his work The soundscape: our sonic environment and the

tuning of the world, he described the soundscape as a collection of all the

sounds within which humans operate, emphasizing their complexity and

their dependence on time and place (Schafer 1994). A clear denition of

the term is provided in the international standard ISO 12913-1: Soundscape

– acoustic environment as perceived or experienced and/or understood by

a person or people, in context (International standard… 2014, 1).

Evaluation of resident awareness of strategic noise maps in the Wawer district in Warsaw 101

tal protection law (Ustawa… 2001), individuals have the

right to request monitoring of noise levels. This procedure

comprises two stages: measurement and evaluation of noise

levels, followed by a determination of whether regulatory

thresholds have been exceeded. The process concludes with

an administrative decision, which, depending on the nd-

ings, may serve as a basis for legal claims (Bandarzewski

2023). Such claims may include: Restoration of conditions

compliant with legal standards and the implementation of

preventive measures; or, if such actions are impractical or

excessively hampered, cessation of activities causing the

dis-

turbance or violation (Ustawa… 2001, Art. 323. 1). Strate-

gic noise maps provide crucial data on the spatial extent of

noise level ranges and thus serve as a foundational resource

for initiating legal claims and noise-related complaints.

Despite the numerous benets associated with under-

standing the information contained in SNM, there is a dis-

cernible issue regarding the existence of certain barriers

that may limit residents’ full utilization of these resources.

A study conducted by a team from the University of Life

Sciences in Lublin, which aimed to engage citizens in the

process of […] diagnosing noise pollution (Sowisz et al.

2022, 145), revealed that […] the involvement of partici-

pants in citizen science projects is minimal (Sowisz et al.

2022, 153). Similarly, foreign researchers have also ob-

served a lack of signicant public interest (Shrivastava et

al. 2004). The analysed literature highlights the issue of

the methods of information sharing. Representations in

the form of online 2D maps, textual descriptions, and noise

protection programs appear to cause diculties in terms

of substantive comprehension (Murphy, King 2010). Fur-

thermore, because acoustics is an inherently complex eld

that necessitates interdisciplinary collaboration, this leads

to a limited understanding of its principles among various

social groups, representatives of dierent age ranges, and

educational levels (Tratnik 2007).

At present, the responsibility for disseminating knowl-

edge regarding strategic noise maps predominantly lies in

the hands of ocials, who require expert technical support

(Kubiszek et al. 2012). This support is often insucient,

which adversely aects the general public’s understanding

of the information provided. On the international stage, the

issue of delegating responsibility for this matter to exter-

nal consultants remains a subject of debate. Many authors

emphasize the possibility of training employees, which

would enable the management of acoustic mapping issues

to remain within the hands of ocials. At the same time,

the authors identify the problem of insucient nancial

resources allocated for training programs (Santos 2005).

Materials and methods

To gain insight into the social awareness of the exis-

tence and potential use of SNM, a survey-based study was

conducted. The study was carried out among residents of

the Wawer district in Warsaw, selected as the research sub-

ject. Wawer is the largest district in Warsaw. Located on

the right bank of the Vistula River (Fig. 1) the district is

Fig. 1. Location of the Wawer

district within the functional and

spatial structure of Warsaw

(elaborated by D.A. Kumorek

based on: Urząd Miejski,

“Warszawa dzisiaj” 2024)

Il. 1. Lokalizacja dzielnicy

Wawer na tle struktury

funkcjonalno-przestrzennej

Warszawy

(oprac. D.A. Kumorek

na podstawie: Urząd Miejski,

„Warszawa dzisiaj” 2024)

102 Dominika Agnieszka Kumorek

renowned for its natural wealth, particularly its forested

areas, earning it the well-deserved title of “the green lungs

of Warsaw”.

Wawer is a predominantly residential district, primar-

ily consisting of single-family housing, and is mainly in-

habited by long-term residents. Due to its intimate, fam-

ily-oriented character and favourable natural conditions,

the area has undergone signicant spatial transformations

in recent years to accommodate a growing population and

an increased number of users. The expansion of multi-fam-

ily housing, the development of local road infrastructure

connecting Wawer with other districts of Warsaw, and the

intensication of service activities have contributed to the

deterioration of the soundscape in the region (Fig. 2).

The prevalence of the issue is underscored by the

heightened complaint eorts of residents striving to ght

against the escalation of noise emissions (Pielaszek 2023).

Additional measures undertaken by residents include in-

dividual noise protection strategies, such as the installa-

tion of soundproof balcony enclosures, varying degrees of

professional and non-professional home acoustic barriers,

and the provision of dense vegetation. However, these

eorts often fail to enhance the visual perception of the

area, lack consistency, and do not yield the anticipated out-

comes, thus contributing to increased public dissatisfac-

tion. Despite the problem and ongoing local interventions,

the Wawer district in Warsaw continues to be perceived

as a tranquil and quiet area, while simultaneously remain-

ing a prime target for intensied development activities.

Given the continuing spatial and functional transforma-

tions, the selected study area is particularly vulnerable to

the amplication of annoyance resulting from new acous-

tic sources, as well as the escalation of already existing

noise levels. These nuisances can be mitigated through

the enhancement of public awareness, fostering an under-

standing of the importance of responsible planning actions

that inuence collective perceptions beyond individual

experiences.

Based on the analysis of the relevant literature, includ-

ing the current state of research, several key issues were

identied for discussion with the residents of the Wawer

district. A set of six closed, single-choice questions was

prepared, in which respondents were asked about their cur-

rent knowledge of SNM, their experiences related to its use,

and their opinions. The questionnaire also included a ques-

tion about the subjective assessment (on a scale of 1–10) of

the annoyance caused by noise in their place of residence,

as well as two open questions regarding the potential ben-

ets of using SNM and the barriers that might limit their

full utilization. It was assumed that individuals who an-

swered “no” to the rst question regarding their familiarity

with the term “strategic noise maps” would be provided

with the denition and main concepts of SNM before con-

tinuing with the survey. To improve the response rate to

individual questions, the survey was designed to require

responses only to the closed questions and the linear scale

question, with responses to the open questions remaining

optional. Demographic data of the respondents, such as

the survey’s metric information, was excluded from the

study. This decision was made in consideration of protect-

ing the privacy and sense of freedom of the respondents,

aimed at eliminating any doubts regarding the anonymity

of the survey. Moreover, the main objective of the study

was to gain an understanding of the specic opinions and

experiences of the participants, which are independent of

demographic characteristics. The use of this research meth-

od allowed for a focus on the substance of the responses

rather than on personal data, which simultaneously helped

reduce the time required to complete the survey and con-

tributed to an increase in the volume of collected data. The

survey was disseminated online through one of the most

widely attended forums related to everyday matters in the

district, namely “Wawer moja dzielnica”. Responses were

collected in March and April 2024. All participants gave

informed consent to participate in the study.

Results

A total of 55

individuals participated in the study. The

responses to the mandatory questions are presented in a bar

chart (Fig. 3) and pie charts (Figs. 4a–f). Each chart is la-

belled with the number of respondents who selected a giv-

en answer, with percentage values provided in parentheses.

The study also received 40 responses to open questions.

For the purpose of presenting the results, the responses were

analysed, synthesized, and grouped thematically (Tables 1, 2),

with repetitions and factual errors eliminated. Responses

mentioned more than twice were highlighted in bold.

The practical minimum sample size for statistical research is 30

data points, which should include a sucient number of data points to

draw statistically justied conclusions about the population (Pannell 2023).

Fig. 2. Fragment of the acoustic map of Warsaw

showing road traffic noise L

den

(elaborated by D.A. Kumorek

based on: Urząd Miejski, “Mapa hałasu” 2024)

Il. 2. Fragment mapy akustycznej Warszawy hałasu drogowego L

DWN

(oprac. D.A. Kumorek

na podstawie: Urząd Miejski, „Mapa hałasu” 2024)

WISŁA

Evaluation of resident awareness of strategic noise maps in the Wawer district in Warsaw 103

On a scale of 1 to 10, please evaluate the level of noise annoyance in your place of residence (1 – low annoyance, 10 – high annoyance).

1–10 scale (1 – low annoyance, 10 – high annoyance)

number of responses

Fig. 3. Distribution of ratings for noise annoyance levels in respondents’ places of residence (elaborated by D.A. Kumorek)

Il. 3. Rozkład ocen poziomu uciążliwości hałasu w miejscu zamieszkania ankietowanych (oprac. D.A. Kumorek)

39 (70,9%)

16 (29,1%)

Fig. 4. Distribution of respondents:

a) familiar with the term “strategic noise maps”,

b) aware of the existence of strategic noise maps for the Wawer district,

c) who have ever used the information contained in strategic noise maps,

d) who think that residents should have greater access to information about noise in their surroundings,

e) who believe that strategic noise maps can be useful in spatial planning and district development,

f) who agree that improving awareness of strategic noise maps can contribute to the development of the district (elaborated by D.A. Kumorek)

Il. 4. Rozkład liczby ankietowanych:

a) zaznajomionych z terminem „strategiczne mapy hałasu”,

b) świadomych istnienia strategicznych map hałasu dla dzielnicy Wawer,

c) którzy kiedykolwiek korzystali z informacji zawartych na strategicznych mapach hałasu,

d) którzy sądzą, że mieszkańcy powinni mieć większy dostęp do informacji na temat hałasu w swoim otoczeniu,

e) którzy uważają, że strategiczne mapy hałasu mogą być przydatne w planowaniu przestrzennym i rozwoju dzielnicy,

f) którzy zgadzają się, że poprawa świadomości na temat strategicznych map hałasu może przyczynić się do rozwoju dzielnicy (oprac. D.A. Kumorek)

40 (72,7%)

15 (27,3%)

47 (85,5%)

8 (14,5%)

53 (96,4%) 49 (89,1%)51 (92,7%)

2 (3,6%)

6 (10,9%)

4 (7,3%)

d e f

104 Dominika Agnieszka Kumorek

Social benefits Planning benefits

Availability of reliable information on the quality

of the acoustic environment at the city scale

The possibility of adapting public noise protection solutions

to existing conditions

The possibility to make conscious locational decisions, taking into

account the acoustic quality of the environment, including

the selection of residential areas, schools, and service locations

The potential for the visual integration

of noise protection solutions

with the landscape

Ensuring acoustic comfort

The possibility to designate zones of acoustic annoyance

Increasing public awareness of the negative effects of noise exposure

The possibility to designate and protect quiet areas

Health protection

The possibility of separating noisy zones from residential areas

Guarantee of no exceedance

of the permissible sound level values

The possibility to consciously plan road infrastructure

with regard to the acoustic quality of the environment

The existence of a reliable basis

for submitting complaints and appeals

The possibility to implement traffic restrictions

in areas with excessive noise levels

Enhancement of the sense of responsibility

for individual planning activities

The possibility to make conscious decisions in planning technical

infrastructure with consideration for acoustic environmental quality

The possibility to tailor individualized noise protection measures to

specific needs and conditions

Enhancing the awareness of investment entities regarding the impact

of their projects on the quality of the acoustic environment

The possibility of estimating property value based on information

about its exposure to noise

Improvement in the acoustic climate

quality within areas

of new developments

Table 1. Summary of respondents’ answers regarding the benefits of using strategic noise maps

(elaborated by D.A. Kumorek)

Tabela 1. Zestawienie odpowiedzi ankietowanych na temat korzyści wynikających z zastosowania strategicznych map hałasu

(oprac. D.A. Kumorek)

Table 2. Summary of survey responses regarding barriers/difficulties in the utilization of strategic noise maps, limiting their full potential

(elaborated by D.A. Kumorek)

Tabela 2. Zestawienie odpowiedzi ankietowanych na temat barier/trudności w wykorzystaniu strategicznych map hałasu

ograniczających ich pełne wykorzystanie (oprac. D.A. Kumorek)

Social barriers Substantive barriers

Lack of awareness among residents about the existence of SNM

Doubts regarding the accuracy of information contained in SNM

The belief in the lack of dissemination of SNM

The long update period of SNM (5 years), which does not account for

the dynamics of spatial and social changes

The belief that SNM are subject to a fee

The lack of consideration for real-time noise level variability,

e.g., on a daily scale

Inability to use SNM

Instances of noticing underestimation of noise levels on SNM

compared to actual measurements

Lack of competence in interpreting the information contained in SNM

The belief in administrative manipulation of noise level values

for the purpose of reducing the number of complaints and appeals

The lack of educational actions aimed at informing the public about

SNM

Doubts regarding the objectivity of the entities responsible

for preparing SNM

The lack of involving local communities in the dialogue about the

quality of the acoustic environment

The lack of information on the impact of planned investments

on the quality of the acoustic environment

Society ignorance

Estimated sound level values, which result in the unrealistic nature

of the results (5dB ranges)

Lack of collective responsibility for the acoustic quality

of the environment

–

Budgetary barriers Regulatory barriers

The belief in insufficient financial investment allocated for the dis-

semination of SNM

The recognition of ambiguities in legal regulations, including

the raising of permissible noise levels

The belief that noise protection programs are not taken into account in

municipal budgets

The failure to incorporate the information contained in the SNM

into the processes of drafting local development plans

and issuing building permits

The belief that economic (profit-driven) considerations are prioritized

over the protection of acoustic environmental quality

The lack of regulations imposing on the investor the obligation

to prepare an acoustic forecast when planning new developments

Acoustic climate: […] a set of sound phenomena occurring in a given area (Marczak 2012, 7).

Evaluation of resident awareness of strategic noise maps in the Wawer district in Warsaw 105

Discussion

Based on the results of the conducted survey, as evi-

denced by the responses to the closed questions, it can be in-

ferred that awareness of the existence of strategic noise maps

among residents of the Wawer district is low. Only 29.1% of

the respondents are familiar with the term “strategic noise

map”, 27.3% are aware of the existence of SNM for the

Wawer district area, and 14.5% have ever used the informa-

tion contained in this map. At the same time, the awareness

of the benets derived from the use of SNM, assuming that

respondents who were unfamiliar with the term during the

survey have since been introduced to it, was relatively high.

The statement that residents should have greater access to

information about noise in their surroundings was agreed

upon by 92.7% of the respondents, while 96.4% believe

that strategic noise maps can be useful in spatial planning

and district development, and 89.1% think that raising the

awareness of strategic noise maps can contribute to the dis-

trict’s development. It is important to note that, in response

to the question regarding the subjective annoyance of noise

in their place of residence, the majority of the respondents

rated it as “3” on a scale of 1–10 (1 being low annoyance

and 10 being high annoyance), indicating a relatively low

level of annoyance. The responses “6” and “2” were given

only twice. Furthermore, it should be highlighted that the re-

sults of this question predominant

ly feature low ratings be-

tween 1 and 5. However, the perceived annoyance among

respondents is quite varied. In the scale of 1–10, every level

of annoyance was marked at least twice, which may reect

the diering quality of the acoustic climate in various areas

of the district. The responses to the open-ended questions

suggest that the residents’ awareness of the benets of us-

ing strategic noise maps is based on knowledge or assump-

tions consistent with the original purpose of creating such

maps. Among the benets identied by the respondents, the

most frequently mentioned were the positive impact of ac-

cessible noise information on planning decisions at various

scales, which in turn contributes to health safety and the

comfort of potential investments. Additionally, it is partic-

ularly thought-provoking that, when asked about barriers

to the use of strategic noise maps, respondents listed a va-

riety of factors limiting their full implementation. This led

to the creation of four distinct categories of barriers, i.e.,

social, substantive, budgetary, and regulatory. It was noted

that the results of this study could not be compared with

those of other authors in a control group due to the lack

of existing studies on the same subject. Available research

typically focuses on the awareness of the harmful eects

of specic types of noise (Oluwasanya et al. 2024), rather

than on tools aimed at mitigating noise, thus highlighting

the scientic value of this study.

It should be noted that the conducted study is subject

to certain limitations. Despite collecting a data set larger

than the practical minimum sample size for statistical re-

search, the sample size is relatively small when compared

to the population of the Wawer district, which limits the

ability to generalize the results to the entire population.

This may stem from the low public interest in participat-

ing in the study or from the indirect distribution method of

the research tool (the survey). In future research, this limita-

tion could be minimized by establishing cooperation with

managing entities, including the district oce or neighbour-

hood councils. It is also important to highlight the inability

to demonstrate the representativeness of the respondents

due to the decision not to include demographic information

in the survey. Furthermore, the timeliness of the study re-

sults may be inuenced by the dynamic spatial and social

changes occurring in the Wawer district, as well as the sub-

jectivity of the respondents’ perceptions, which are linked

to their current experiences and emotional state. Data col-

lected during the period of the study may become outdated

over time. Despite these limitations, the study on the aware-

ness of the existence and potential use of strategic noise

maps among the residents of the Wawer district of Warsaw

provided valuable insights into the current knowledge and

attitudes of the local community regarding environmental

acoustics. The study engaged residents in a dialogue about

the subjectively perceived annoyance and needs, whose un-

derstanding is key to eective remedial actions.

Conclusions

In response to the identied challenges, actions have

been proposed that could serve as potential solutions to

enhance residents’ awareness of the acoustic environment

and use this awareness to protect and improve the quali-

ty of this environment. The conclusions are divided into

thematically coherent groups based on the classication

suggested in the presentation of the results.

Social actions

The primary goal of social actions is to raise residents’

awareness through education and the promotion of issues

related to the acoustic environment and strategic noise

maps. Special attention should be given to equipping

the public with a set of basic information, including key

denitions necessary for understanding the content of the

maps, such as noise assessment indicators, methods of

preparing studies, and the spectrum of their applications

in spatial planning and land development. Education can

take both indirect and direct forms. The indirect approach

may include providing clear, accessible content through

specialist-prepared websites, instructional materials, or

other forms of online presentations, while the direct form

involves personal contact through meetings, workshops,

and consultations. Direct education is particularly valu-

able as it allows for addressing individual questions and

concerns from residents, which helps in the understanding

process and engage the audience physically. It also pro-

vides a source of honest feedback. It is essential to ensure

that the educational content, both indirect and direct, is

comprehensible to everyone. Alternative representations

of data from acoustic maps, such as innovative visualiza-

tions in the form of 3D maps or virtual reality (VR)-gen-

erated maps, could make the content more accessible to

a wider audience and spark greater public interest (Mur-

phy, King 2010). Internationally, there are ongoing eorts

to develop dynamic representations of noise maps that

106 Dominika Agnieszka Kumorek

incorporate real-time changes, such as uctuations in pop-

ulation movement and atmospheric conditions (Marki et

al. 2022).

Promotional activities are particularly important in the

context of public awareness regarding the term “strategic

noise maps”. These may include public campaigns aimed

at spreading information about the existence, accessibili-

ty, and relevance of using SNM in the ght against noise

pollution. A key aspect of such campaigns is collaboration

with media outlets, especially local ones, which can direct-

ly address the area in which they operate by publishing

materials related to noise and SNM. This will likely in-

crease the interest of local residents. An essential element

is also establishing cooperation with neighbourhood coun-

cil boards to support educational activities through direct

engagement, encouraging the community to engage in di-

alogue for the systematic collection of data from residents

and sharing it with the entities responsible for creating

strategic noise maps.

Substantive actions

Substantive actions should primarily ensure consisten-

cy between the noise levels presented in the strategic noise

maps and actual measurements. This task lies within the

competence of the entities responsible for developing the

SNM, as well as potential subcontractors conducting actual

measurements for the purpose of calibrating the map. Re-

gardless of the executing unit, the process should be super-

vised by an objective body, and the values should be sys-

tematically monitored and updated. An interesting issue is

the real-time monitoring of noise levels, the integration of

which with an electronic mapping system could be one of

the key development perspectives. Respondents also raised

concerns about the failure to include planned and new in-

vestments and their impact on changes in SNM parame-

ters, which is related to the relatively long update period

compared to the construction time. Forecasts of changes in

map indicators should be continuously updated, for exam-

ple, using an additional “forecast” layer, enabling residents

to make conscious location decisions regarding acoustics,

while also building trust in the entities managing the SNM.

Budgetary actions

The results of the conducted research indicate that a key

issue limiting the full utilization of strategic noise maps

are, according to respondents, budgetary barriers caused

by focusing on other priorities than noise pollution control.

Meanwhile, noise pollution is a paramount issue as it caus-

es harm to public health, which is society’s most valuable

asset. Therefore, the recommendation regarding budgetary

changes is to include any actions aimed at improving the

quality of the acoustic environment in the budget plans of

various entities, including municipalities, cities, and prov-

inces. Initiatives requiring increased nancial investment

primarily include educational and promotional activities

that raise awareness and knowledge of the public regard-

ing environmental acoustics, actions related to the devel-

opment of technologies supporting continuous monitoring

and assessment of existing acoustic conditions, including

supporting innovation, as well as spatial interventions, in-

cluding the modernization of existing structures that nega-

tively impact the acoustic environment.

Regulatory actions

Regulatory actions aimed at improving public aware-

ness of strategic noise maps may include:

– clarication and standardization of existing legal reg-

ulations concerning noise pollution control,

– imposing new obligations on investors related to noise

pollution control, including the requirement to prepare

forecasts of acoustic conditions resulting from the reali-

zation of planned investments and informing the public

about these impacts,

– imposing an obligation on society to educate about

noise and strategic noise maps in the interests of public

health.

Helpful in the regulatory area may also be recommen-

dations developed by environmental acoustics specialists,

incorporating SNM into the spatial planning process. The

tools for implementing these recommendations include

planning documents, such as local master plans – both new

ones and those in the process of being updated. Provisions

in local master plans may include the separation of noisy

transport infrastructure from new and developing resi-

dential areas (Gilani, Mir 2021) or the requirement to use

natural soundproof barriers (Fang, Ling 2003). The inclu-

sion of acoustic issues in municipal planning documents

falls within the responsibilities of local governments, but

eective regulatory changes must also be implemented at

higher, supra-local and regional levels, including county

and provincial levels. For example, […] the county council

may, by resolution, designate quiet areas within or outside

an agglomeration, taking into account the specic needs

of noise protection for these areas (Ustawa… 2001, Art.

118b. 1), and the regional governor (marshal) is responsi-

ble for […] developing a draft resolution regarding the en-

vironmental noise protection program for the region based

on strategic noise maps (Ustawa… 2001, Art. 119a. 1).

Resolutions based on the real needs of society will be an

eective complement to legislative actions for protecting

acoustic environment quality. Key regulations related to

the acoustic environment of residential areas include laws

concerning design and construction activities, such as the

Building Law (Ustawa… 1994). This law will serve as an

eective tool for both enforcing obligations on investors

and promoting noise-reducing solutions. Updates to the

Building Law may include provisions requiring the use of

noise-reducing materials and systems in construction, as

well as quiet road surfaces in transport infrastructure (Gi-

lani, Mir 2021).

Actions for building social trust

Actions aimed at building residents’ trust in the author-

ities managing strategic noise maps and noise in general

include all the previously mentioned measures, as well

as the authorities’ consistent eorts to achieve the origi-

Evaluation of resident awareness of strategic noise maps in the Wawer district in Warsaw 107

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nal objectives and goals of SNM. These eorts should

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information, including the data integrated into SNM, the

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potential of strategic noise maps, as well as the barriers

that limit their utilization. The results of the study were

presented through numerical and percentage values, pro-

viding a clear source of information regarding the scale of

the problem. The study also serves as an attempt to dene

proposed solutions which may prove eective in raising

public awareness, and consequently, contribute to the as-

sessment and improvement of the acoustic environment

quality, with a focus on safeguarding the health of resi-

dents. A methodologically identical study conducted in

other districts of Warsaw would serve as a basis for devel-

oping practical recommendations at the city level.

Translated by

Dominika Kumorek

108 Dominika Agnieszka Kumorek

Streszczenie

Ocena świadomości istnienia i potencjału wykorzystania strategicznych map hałasu wśród mieszkańców warszawskiej dzielnicy Wawer

Hałas jest obecnie jednym z największych zagrożeń środowiskowych. Wpływa negatywnie na kondycję zyczną i psychiczną użytkowników prze-

strzeni, w której występuje. Skutkuje trudnościami w codziennym funkcjonowaniu, a w przypadku długotrwałej ekspozycji nawet trwałym uszczerb-

kiem zdrowia. Problem nasila się wraz z liczbą nowo powstałych źródeł hałasu i jest szczególnie uciążliwy na obszarach, na których do czasu inten-

sywnego rozwoju nie występował. W walce z wciąż rozprzestrzeniającym się hałasem pomóc mają strategiczne mapy hałasu (SMH) służące ocenie

poziomu hałasu w środowisku i opracowaniu skutecznych programów ochrony przed nim. Niestety mimo powszechnej dostępności ewidentną barierą

w pełnym wykorzystaniu SMH jest niska świadomość społeczeństwa na temat ich istnienia, zawartości i potencjału w walce z hałasem. W artykule za-

prezentowano autorskie badanie, którego celem była ocena świadomości mieszkańców warszawskiej dzielnicy Wawer na temat istnienia i możliwości

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