Speaker
Description
The concept of “quiet areas” is gaining traction in environmental planning, with potential to safeguard and improve sound environments in agglomerations and open country. Within the framework of the European Union Environmental Noise Directive (END, 2002/49/EC), member states are required to map environmental noise and develop action plans to manage its effects, including the preservation of quiet areas. The directive does not define how such areas should be identified or implemented, resulting in a variety of strategies, some of which have been documented in subsequent guidance. Yet, the spatial characteristics of these initiatives remain largely unknown at larger scales. This study examines the implementation of quiet areas in the Nordic countries, providing a comparative perspective across different planning contexts. The aim is to map and analyse the spatial distribution and characteristics of officially designated quiet areas in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Data were collected through questionnaires to governing bodies and reviews of policy documents, resulting in a GIS dataset of 6,920 designated quiet area polygons, covering approximately 7.4 million hectares. Results show that officially designated quiet areas occupy only a small proportion of national territories, with uneven spatial distribution, particularly in Norway and Finland. Further analyses examined relationships with land cover, overlap with protected areas, and alignment with the Quietness Suitability Index (QSI), identifying both synergies and potential conflicts. The findings highlight substantial variation in implementation strategies and point to the need for clearer guidance to support consistent and effective planning practices.