Urban Traffic Growth and Real Estate Development Drive Rising Noise Pollution

The growth of urban traffic and accelerated real estate development are generating increasingly high levels of noise pollution in Romania’s metropolitan areas. The World Health Organization has established safe noise thresholds, and exceeding these limits directly impacts public health.

Noise barriers made of composite materials, vegetated panels, or acrylic structures are already used in countries such as Germany and the Netherlands, while in Romania there are pilot projects in Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and on the Bucharest ring road.

According to a study by the Ministry of Environment, 70% of heavily trafficked roads in Bucharest exceed the legal limit of 65 dB on a daily basis. New regulations require infrastructure projects to include acoustic protection systems.

Investments in this field are eligible for co-financing under the Large Infrastructure Operational Programme (POIM) and the Regional Programme 2021–2027. The development and standardization of these solutions can significantly reduce noise discomfort and improve quality of life in dense urban areas.

(Photo: Freepik)