A worker at a construction site in Shanghai. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

In a concerted effort to address noise pollution, the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment, in collaboration with 24 other departments, has unveiled a three-year plan spanning from 2024 to 2026. The plan outlines seven major initiatives and 36 key tasks that are aimed at tackling the city's noise pollution.

One of the primary objectives outlined in the plan is for Shanghai to align with national night-time noise compliance standards across all functional zones by next year. Looking ahead to 2026, the city aims to make significant strides in enhancing overall noise management, with the goal of fostering a peaceful and harmonious social environment for its residents.

Central to the plan are key measures such as adjusting noise functional zoning and using automated noise monitoring and digital platforms to bolster the city's noise management capabilities. The plan also places a strong emphasis on enforcing noise control measures in urban planning and ramping up the supervision of noise pollution control across all of Shanghai's construction projects.

In the industrial sector, the plan mandates noise pollution permits for key industrial sources and advocates for noise source control in industrial parks. Within the construction industry, the plan promotes the adoption of low-noise construction techniques and links compliance with "civilized construction site" standards.

Transportation noise control measures will target vehicle and ship noise, as well as seek to enhance noise control along highways, urban roads, railways, and aircraft routes. Community noise control efforts will concentrate on bolstering regulations for commercial and public spaces, while also promoting quiet community initiatives and encouraging public self-regulation.

Public participation is seen as a vital component of the plan, with initiatives aimed at integrating noise control into civilized city programs and enhancing public awareness to encourage community involvement in noise management efforts.

Furthermore, the plan underscores the importance of six supporting measures, namely enhancing organizational structures, improving regulations, providing scientific and educational support, enforcing strict supervision, ensuring accountability, and promoting public awareness. These measures are designed to provide a robust framework for the successful implementation of Shanghai's comprehensive noise pollution control plan over the next three years.

Source: Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment