Publications

Oslo — quiet sanctuaries in a busy urban environment, 2010: Quiet areas decided by the the city of Oslo and the connection between areas
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Percentage of people exposed to levels above the WHO interim target for night-time noise in Europe from road transport (> 55 dB Lnight): -
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Perception of noise (all sources) as a problem in European cities compared to road noise (major source of environmental noise) levels reported in the urban agglomerations correlated to processes of centralisation (c), decentralisation (d) and no change (n: The left diagram shows a ranking from relatively less noise problems perceived down to cities with highly perceived noise problems (dataset 2). The right diagram shows in addition the reported noise data under the Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC (dataset 1). The colour of the city names indicates if the population moves rather towards the centres or to the edge or develops similarly in the centre and the edge (dataset 3)
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Reported noise exposure of more than 55 dB Lden in European agglomerations with more than 250 000 inhabitants based on the results of strategic noise mapping: The figure shows the reported long-term (yearly) average exposure to day-evening-night noise of more than 55 dB in EU-27 agglomerations with more than 250 000 inhabitants
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Urban environment — key message 4: Despite some improvements, European cities and their inhabitants will still face a number of important challenges in the future. They are highly vulnerable to many impacts of climate change such as heat waves, water scarcity, flooding, and related health problems, and will still need to cope with high transport loads, air quality problems, noise and loss of green areas.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Urban environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment › Key messages
Urban environment — key message 2: Despite substantial reductions in some urban air pollutants, data for the period 1997 to 2008 show that for any given year up to 40 to 60 % of urban citizens can be exposed to concentrations of either particulate matter or ozone above the EU limits. Environmental noise, mainly from transport, continues to affect large numbers of people. Urban wastewater collection and treatment improved markedly, but discharges of some harmful chemicals remain a concern.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Urban environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment › Key messages
Urban environment — key message 1: For the three-quarters of Europe's population that lives in cities and towns, a good urban environment is a precondition for a good quality of life. This quality of life depends inter alia on clean air and water, efficient transport, low noise levels and green spaces.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Urban environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment › Key messages
Urban environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment: The global population is congregating in our cities. Eighty per cent of the world’s estimated nine billion people in 2050 are expected to live in urban areas. Our cities and urban areas face many challenges from social to health to environmental. The impacts of cities and urban areas are felt in other regions which supply cities with food, water and energy and absorb pollution and waste. However, the proximity of people, businesses and services associated with the very word ‘city’ means that there are also huge opportunities. Indeed, well designed, well managed urban settings offer a key opportunity for sustainable living.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Marine and coastal environment — SOER 2010 thematic assessment: European marine regions include the north-east Atlantic and Arctic oceans, and the Mediterranean, Black and Baltic seas. Human activities — such as fishing, aquaculture and agriculture — and climate change cause large and severe impacts on Europe's coastal and marine ecosystems. The EU objective of halting biodiversity loss by 2010 has not been met in either the coastal or the marine environment. Recognising the need for an integrated ecosystem-based approach to reduce pressures, the EU Integrated Maritime Policy allows for the development of sea-related activities in a sustainable manner. Its environmental pillar, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, aims to deliver 'good environmental status' of the marine environment by 2020, and the Common Fisheries Policy will be reformed in 2012 with the aim of achieving sustainable fisheries. Complementary policy efforts include the EU Water Framework Directive and other freshwater legislation, and the Habitats and Birds Directives.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Good practice guide on noise exposure and potential health effects: This guide is intended to assist policy makers and competent authorities in understanding and fulfilling the action planning requirements of Directive 2002/49/EC
Located in Publications