The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 169
4F spatial planning, urban design
and open spaces
4F.1 This chapter reviews some of the main noise and soundscape issues
involved in achieving a sustainable urban renaissance, particularly through
the planning system, and in promoting tranquillity in appropriate open
spaces. Policies relevant to Unitary Development Plans and control of
development are also considered in the ‘spatial planning and design’
sections of Chapters 4A to E. Those sections, together with this chapter,
should be read in conjunction with the London Plan 1 and, particularly in
terms of the way natural sounds can provide relief in many different city
situations, the Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy. 2 This chapter is structured
under the following headings:
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Urban renaissance
Housing, schools and health facilities
Mixed uses, town centres and the late night economy
Sound-conscious urban design
Open spaces and the wider public realm.
Urban renaissance
4F.2 Compact cities can enable more people to gain access to more facilities
while generating less noise, notably from mechanised transport. Such
cities, with all their benefits for sustainability could, however, be
destroyed in the long run if planning policies were to preclude
development in all currently noisy areas. Relying only on the spatial
segregation of people and transport facilities would progressively reduce
densities, segregate land uses and increase dependence on motorised
transport - itself the main source of ambient noise. High density mediumrise
development with fairly continuous frontages can create or protect
quieter areas. By contrast, low density suburban development with widely
separated buildings can allow noise to spread. Ultimately noise would
spread over wider and wider areas, driving out tranquillity. By contrast,
meeting the demands associated with people’s attraction to London offers
the prospect of moving towards more sustainable soundscapes. Good
sound-conscious city design is needed to seize these opportunities.
4F.3 Regeneration of brownfield land, and securing higher density
development near centres of high public transport accessibility can
present design challenges in the short term. However, by no means all
brownfield sites are noisy. Quiet areas can be found, and created, in
higher density older districts. New development can include noise
reduction measures which benefit the wider community, as well as
immediate occupants. Mechanisms such as land exchanges and transfers