Noise and air quality

Maintaining good sound and air quality

Tackling 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 that the area behind it is shielded. Or that when building an apartment or house, the outdoor space must be on the quiet side. The policy was updated in October 2023.

The policy can be found at: overheid.nl | Assessment framework for noise (road, rail and industry) between standard value and limit value (Environmental Act) .

Monitoring air quality

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

Zoetermeer noise situation maps renewed

In 2022, the municipality of Zoetermeer once again produced noise pollution maps, this time with 2021 as the reference year. The maps provide insight into the noise levels caused by road traffic, trains, and industry. Aircraft noise is not included on the maps because Zoetermeer is located outside the noise zone of an airport. The municipality is legally obliged to update the noise maps every five years. The noise action plan has been updated based on the new maps. The Draft Noise Action Plan is currently available for inspection. For more information about the Draft Noise Action Plan, see Nature and Environment.

You can view the maps via:

www.geluidregister.nl | Zoetermeer

The maps show the noise pollution per type of noise source. You can also see how high the total noise level is; the noise from road traffic, trains and industry added together. The maps were created using data from 2021. They can therefore not be used to assess the feasibility of, for example, spatial plans, environmental permits and extra-plan environmental plan activities (bopa) in the future.

The accompanying report can be consulted below.

See also: