New ways of measuring the effects of sound on human health are helping communities fight back against noise pollution.

“Research is finding noise exposure has implications for cardiovascular and cognitive health. Yet, unlike other environmental stressors, noise has not been a major factor in community planning,” writes Elizabeth Hewitt in Reasons to be Cheerful.
Noise can trigger a stress response, the same system that signals when our bodies are in danger. It has been linked to issues like hypertension, heightened risk of heart disease and impaired cognitive functioning. It can cause sleep issues and contribute to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
Now, cities in Europe and the United States are starting to map noise levels to understand where dangerous sound levels exist and how to better protect people living and working nearby. In Paris, the city has sought to crack down on loud vehicles using sensors and cameras that can issue fines to offenders. Lower speed limits can also reduce vehicle noise, as will the growth of electric vehicles.
Researchers hope that new methods of studying and quantifying the impact of noise on human health can help communities get the mitigation measures and protection they need.
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Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years
The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.

In Both Crashes and Crime, Public Transportation is Far Safer than Driving
Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.

Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan
Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.

Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding
The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.
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