"Noise-free” week in Sants-Montjuïc
24 April is International Noise Awareness Day and throughout the week, across Catalonia, activities will be taking place to raise awareness among citizens of the problem of noise pollution, with information on the initiatives that are being carried out to prevent excess noise. On Monday 22 April you’ll have the chance to measure noise levels around the gardens of the Rambla de Sants. On Thursday 25 April, a walk is taking place entitled ‘Close your eyes and listen to Montjuïc'.
Under the slogan “Enjoy the silence”, the 6th edition of Setmana Sense Soroll [Noise Free Week] is being celebrated throughout Catalonia this year from 22 to 28 April.
What kind of noise do we make in Sants?
The information tent for this activity will be at the entrance to the gardens of the Rambla de Sants Monday 22 April from 4 pm to 7 pm. There, members of the public interested in doing so can get instructions and all the materials needed from the promoters and can choose two places where they can take measurements with a sound level meter: one point with a high level of vehicle traffic and another in a peaceful, car-free area, such as the gardens of the Rambla de Sants. The participants then note down the measurement results on a record sheet, indicating the source of the noise detected and classifying the measurements within the range on the decibel scale. They will also indicate the noise level measured by placing a sticker on a giant map. Lastly, in light of the evidence that traffic generates noise pollution, on another panel, participants will be able to propose ways of reducing noise, following a discussion between them.
The aim of this activity offered by the Service for the Prevention and Control of Noise and Light Pollution (SPCAL) of the General-Directorate of Environmental Quality and Climate Change (Generalitat de Catalunya) is to raise public awareness about environmental noise in the city, and at the same time raise awareness of how we are affected by the noise we experience and also how we can help to reduce it.
Close your eyes and listen to Montjuïc
On a walk through Montjuïc, Thursday 25 April from 5 pm to 6.30 pm, we’ll have a chance to hear the sounds of the Maria Cristina hub from Plaça d’Espanya to the Catalan National Art Museum. In each space, we’ll be identifying the characteristic sounds: traffic, birdsong, reverberations, the passing and voices of tourists, wind, etc. Due to the implementation of the exceptional measures to tackle the drought situation, the fountains and sprinklers will be switched off, which means that this year we won’t get to hear the sound of water.
This is an activity offered by the Barcelona Network of Environmental Facilities (XEAB), in collaboration with the Poble-sec Environmental Classroom. To take part, you need to sign up in advance, free of charge, via this online form.