Noise control measures prove effective
Print Edition
In 2013, Shanghai implemented measures to reduce community noise. It includes standards for assessing the noise level in public spaces like parks and from interior decorating in apartment buildings.
On this basis, Changning District’s Environmental Protection Bureau has also been seeking ways to control the noise of “dancing grannies.”
Everyday groups of residents gather in parks or squares and dance to loud music. While participants enjoy socializing and getting some exercise, the noise has made life harder for residents living nearby. It has also become the source of many disputes.
Turn down the volume
Last autumn Huashan Greenbelt, Zhongshan Park and Yaohong Greenbelt were designated as testing grounds for music control measures.
The guidelines were drafted separately for squares and streets, parks and green zones, as well as residential communities after assessing the plan with environment experts, park management officials, neighborhood communities and dancing groups.
The groups are required to dance within certain times and use certain equipment. The music should be kept at a volume lower than 70 decibels.
Noise levels are monitored in the three parks and the public can see the real-time decibel level. The information helps when investigating noise complaint cases.
According to Zeng Xianping, supervisor of security, gardening and sanitary service at Huashan Greenbelt, several small dancing groups have merged into one team. The members usually dance from 7:30am to 9am and 6:20pm to 7:20pm each day.
The dancing teams also updated their equipment and have their own time slots and area, which has lowered the noise level and prevented different groups from arguing over space.
The number of complaints has dropped from three or four per day to zero, according to the supervisor Zeng.
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