Noise and air quality

Maintain good noise and air quality

Addressing bottlenecks is good, but preventing bottlenecks is even better. With the noise policy - noise assessment framework, the municipality focuses on preventing new bottlenecks. This policy provides rules that new construction must take into account. For example, that an urban design ensures the screening of the area behind. Or that when building an apartment or house, the outdoor space must be on the quieter side.The policy was updated in October 2023.

The policy can be found at:overheid.nl | Afwegingskader geluid (weg, rail en industrie) tussen standaardwaarde en grenswaarde (Omgevingswet).

Monitoring air quality

Air quality has been monitored annually since 2010, from 2023 the Central Instrument for Monitoring Air Quality (CIMLK) will be the instrument for calculating and monitoring air quality in the Netherlands. In it, the development of air quality is monitored, among other things.  

Maps of noise situation Zoetermeer updated

In 2022, the municipality of Zoetermeer again produced noise maps, now with baseline year 2021. The maps provide insight into the noise levels caused by road traffic, trains and industry. Aircraft noise is not on the maps because Zoetermeer lies outside the noise zone of an airport. The municipality is required by law to update the noise maps every 5 years. The noise action plan is updated based on the new maps. This has been delayed; the draft noise action plan will be finalized and made available for inspection as soon as possible.As soon as the draft noise action plan is made available for inspection, it will be mentioned here.

You can access the maps at:

www.geluidregister.nl | Zoetermeer

On the maps you can see the noise levels for each type of noise source. You can also see the total noise level; the noise from road traffic, train and industry added together. The maps are made with data from 2021. Therefore, they cannot be used to assess the acceptability of, for example, spatial plans, environmental permits and out-of-plan environmental planning activities (bopa) in the future.

The accompanying report can be accessed below.

See also: