Principal speaker
Professor Kin-che Lam
Challenges and Solutions of Road Traffic Noise Problems in Asian High-density Cities: Case of Hong Kong
Transportation noise is a problem in many large cities with possible health related consequences. The problem is particularly acute in high-density compact cities where conventional noise reduction measures are severely constrained. This seminar outlines some urban noise projects undertaken in Hong Kong including a recent noise-related health survey covering over 10,000 households. These studies indicate that a significant proportion of the Hong Kong population are exposed to, and highly annoyed by, road traffic noise with their sleep significantly disturbed. Other related studies have also shown that despite strenuous efforts by the government to reduce road traffic noise, there has not been significant reduction in noise exposure in housing complexes built in the last 50 years. This seminar will critically examine options which help alleviate the problem and argue for a paradigm change from reducing noise to incorporating positive sounds in the urban design.