Urban Noise Conflicts in Szeged

Abstract

Noise pollution is a serious and complex city problem. While there are objective, measurable parameters for noise mapping assessments, since the effects of noise are also subjectively perceived, it has been difficult to accurately evaluate the urban problems and conflicts arising from noise. Urban noise and its perception is related to the quality of life; thus its analysis is can provide useful insights for decision-makers. Therefore, through an analysis of online media content, the paper presents local the attitudes in Szeged towards urban noise. During the analysis different noise categories and the city’s noise characteristics were determined. Even though the noise pollution in residential areas was found to be mainly concentrated in the city centre, it also affected more remote areas, and social problems and political discourses were also identified. Besides the noise of urban traffic, Szeged people appeared to be disturbed by noise related to leisure activities, such as urban (and university) programs and festival noise, which indicated that noise reduction efforts should be focus on more than just the reduction of traffic noise.