Land-use planning at airports in Germany

Abstract

In 2001 the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) initiated the Balanced Approach to Aircraft Noise Management. It consists of four essential elements to reduce aircraft noise. One is land-use planning and management. In Germany, this already starts with planning of an airport in order to find a suitable site. This planning process deals with aircraft operational aspects as well as economical and environmental ones. After the airport has been built, noise protection areas are to be established according to the German Act for Protection against Aircraft Noise. The noise protection area is subdivided into two daytime and one nighttime protection zone. The act oblige the airport operator to pay for constructional soundproofing measures in existing residential buildings located in daytime protection zone 1 and in the nighttime protection zone. Moreover, expenses for installation of ventilation systems in rooms predominantly used for sleeping are to be reimbursed by the airport operator for buildings in the nighttime protection zone. Furthermore, several local regulations which comprise building restrictions in the vicinity of the airport exists which primary have the aim to prevent or reduce noise conflicts. The land-use planning at German airports will be described and evaluated.Quelle: http://www.acoustics.asn.au