Eliminating noise is no longer a dream. New regulations for quiet communities are expected to rapidly develop the creation of "quiet areas"

Have you ever been disturbed on a quiet afternoon or evening by the sudden sounds of vendors, renovations upstairs and downstairs, square dancing nearby, or the clatter of nighttime racing cars? This indicates your neighborhood is plagued by noise pollution.

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has researched and drafted the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Construction of Quiet Communities (Draft for Comments)" (hereinafter referred to as the Draft for Comments), and recently solicited opinions from multiple ministries and commissions including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs, as well as the Departments of Ecology and Environment of various provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government), and the Ecological Environment Bureau of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. By creating a number of quiet communities that "eliminate noise and allow people to sleep peacefully", the noise pollution problem at the "doorstep" of the people will be effectively solved.

The draft plan for soliciting opinions projects that by 2027, the evaluation and management system for the construction of quiet communities will be basically complete in all provinces (autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government), and that cities at the prefecture level and above will generally carry out the construction of quiet communities, with demonstration and guidance effects initially taking shape. By 2035, quiet communities will become the universal standard for residential communities, with an overall tranquil living environment and the concept of tranquility deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

The draft for public comment proposes that residential communities should, in principle, comply with the noise limit requirements of their respective acoustic environment functional zones. There should be no obvious noise sources within residential communities, and the noise generated by shared facilities and equipment such as elevators, water pumps, and transformers in residential buildings should comply with relevant standards for sound insulation design for civil buildings.

Commercial cultural and entertainment venues, restaurants, and other commercial activities adjacent to residential communities that may generate noise must comply with noise emission standards for social living environments. Street vendors must set reasonable loudspeaker volume and operating hours. A management list will be established for key noise sources affecting the residential environment. In principle, there will be no repeated complaints from multiple households about the same noise pollution issue over a long period of time.

In terms of noise reduction measures, the draft for soliciting opinions proposes that areas inside residential communities that are prone to sudden noise, such as speed bumps, rain grates, manhole covers, garage entrances and exits, and entrance unit doors, can be retrofitted to reduce vibration and noise; it encourages the implementation of comprehensive noise management inside communities in conjunction with livelihood projects such as the renovation of old communities.

In addition, residential communities can install appropriate quiet signage, such as speed limit and no-honking signs at entrances and exits, quiet conventions posted in elevators, and reminders about civilized pet care on bulletin boards. Public places like squares, gardens, and sports fields can also install automatic noise monitoring and display systems. Roads surrounding residential communities can legally designate no-honking zones and post no-honking signs. Communication and coordination with surrounding businesses and construction companies can also lead to the installation of appropriate quiet signs in prominent locations.

Regarding the mediation mechanism, the draft for public comment proposes assigning specific individuals to address noise pollution issues in residential communities. Neighborhood committees, homeowners' committees, and property management companies should promptly dissuade and mediate any noise disturbances caused by social life within residential communities. The draft also encourages the local streets, neighborhood committees, homeowners' committees, property management companies, and surrounding businesses, institutions, social groups, and individual business owners to open up channels for noise pollution coordination and resolve noise pollution issues affecting residents through consultation.

To address the challenge of dispersed noise sources and the difficulty of collecting evidence after they disappear, the draft for public comment proposes that the construction of quiet communities "may be entrusted to third-party service agencies to organize and implement acceptance inspections." Local governments should explore long-term mechanisms for the development of quiet communities based on local conditions. Existing quiet communities should be subject to timely spot checks and regular reviews, with prompt rectification required for those that fail to meet standards.

Article forwarded from: China Environment