A new study shows that noise pollution on the streets of San Francisco is putting nearly one in six residents at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and other stress-related illnesses.
"The San Francisco Department of Public Health has ranked "highly annoyed" areas of the city - neighborhoods it says have noise so loud and so constant it could cause psychological and physical harm. "There are real health impacts," Tom Rivard, senior environmental health specialist for the Department of Public Health, said Tuesday.
The assessment by the city and UC Berkeley researchers was based on population, traffic congestion, topography and decibel readings. Sophisticated three-dimensional maps pinpoint the noisiest areas of San Francisco, building by building, hour by hour. Traffic noise is loudest in the South of Market area but affects the most people in the densely populated Chinatown, Civic Center and Tenderloin neighborhoods."
Thanks to rob bregoff
FULL STORY: S.F. traffic noise risks health of 1 in 6
San Francisco ‘Best-Performing Metro’ for VMT, Traffic Reduction
The city saw a 13 percent drop in miles driven per capita in the last five years.
Opinion: Loud Driving is a Public Health Threat
As more research demonstrates the negative health and environmental impacts of excessive traffic noise, the New York state legislature has passed a bill prohibiting the sale of muffler modification devices.
Noise Pollution Harms the Heart, Too
New research shows that excessive noise levels have significant negative impacts on heart health.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.
Trump: Federal Government Won’t Pay for California HSR
The President has targeted federal funding for the California bullet train project since his first administration.
San Francisco Enhances Urban Planning Initiatives with Green Infrastructure
San Francisco incorporates green infrastructure in its city development initiatives, elevating the importance of sustainability in urban planning.
Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan
The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions