Catalogue of Soundscape Intervention

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Plan District 20

PLAN DISTRICT 20​ IN YPENBURG, NETHERLANDS

Ypenburg is a borough of The Hague that has recently undergone extensive residential development, with “Plan District 20” as part of this expansion. Due to its proximity to the A4 and A12 motorways, noise levels in the area frequently exceed permissible limits. Studies have indicated that traditional acoustic measures alone will not be sufficient to address this issue. Therefore, to ensure the continuation of development plans, a participatory process was initiated, engaging various stakeholders to devise a comprehensive set of measures aimed at improving acoustic quality. Sandscaping plays a prominent role in these proposals, primarily focused on mitigating traffic noise from the nearby trunk road, Ypenburgse Boslaan, and implementing several specific soundscape interventions.

Artist's impression of Plan District 20 [1]
Artist's impression of Plan District 20 [1]
2009
2009

CONTEXT

The project seeks to address noise challenges associated with residential areas near major traffic routes. Given that traditional noise control methods cannot reduce noise levels below statutory thresholds, the development team explored alternative soundscape design measures. The primary goal is to improve the sound environment for residents through soundscape design, creating a visually appealing, green residential area that maintains high acoustic quality despite its proximity to major traffic routes.

INTERVENTION STRATEGIES

  • Vegetation Barrier: A low wall and low-noise asphalt along the trunk road, with perforated concrete sections to deflect tire noise upward.
  • Rustling Greenery: Planting rustling vegetation such as reeds, willows, and poplars to mask traffic noise.
  • Bird-Attracting Greenery: Adding greenery to attract birds, incorporating birdsong as a positive element in the overall soundscape.
  • Urban Farm: Introducing an urban farm that not only contributes animal sounds but also promotes citizen engagement.
  • Soft Design of Public Areas: Public spaces will feature acoustically friendly materials and may include a designated quiet area, such as an orchard. Noisy areas, like playgrounds, will be strategically placed.
  • Miniature Green Belt: Surrounding Plan District 20 with a green belt featuring bat-friendly lighting [1,2].

References

[1] Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, The Netherlands, 2019. Inventory of Urban Planning-related Soundscape Projects in The Netherlands.

[2] Van Kamp, I., & Brown, A. L. (2019, September). Soundscape and restoration: observations from planning case studies. In INTER-NOISE and NOISE-CON Congress and Conference Proceedings (Vol. 259, No. 4, pp. 5545-5554). Institute of Noise Control Engineering.

Case provided by: Kirsten van den Bosch, Entry edited by: Xiaochao Chen