Managing Noise

Like any European city, Lisbon suffers from noise pollution, primarily due to road and air traffic.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that noise levels from road traffic are kept below 53 dB. Currently 55% of Lisbon’s population is exposed to noise levels above 55 dB, while one fifth are exposed to even higher levels.

The city has implemented a series of measures to curb and minimise noise levels. Many initiatives to improve noise levels are also strongly linked to improving air quality, such as increasing green spaces, facilitating Electric Vehicle usage, improving public transport and encouraging cycling.

A grant scheme has been introduced to incentivise private bike ownership and use.

Several low-speed zones (30 km per hour) and Low Emissions Zones provided in the downtown area.

Municipal bike-sharing systems average one million journeys per year.

Footpaths are being widened to encourage more walking.

Repaving streets with improved asphalt that minimises noise from car traffic.

These measures are starting to show results, with Lisbon’s citizens experiencing a 44% reduction in “high level” noise exposure between 2014 and 2018.

In addition, a further 28,000 people now live within quiet zones in the city. Quiet zones are measured over a 24-hour period as day / evening / night sound level equal or inferior to 55 dB; and night noise level equal or inferior to 45 dB.

Pedestrians and cyclists enjoying the monthly carfree Sunday along Lisbon’s main avenue