| |
|
|
 |
|
|
CHAPTER
2 BACKGROUND
|
One
of the key tasks of the SUSDEV 21 is to compile a database
of environmental information relevant to sustainability.
This information will be used to assess proposed projects
or policies against sustainability guiding values and
indicators. As it provides the backbone for the environmental
sustainability assessment, the database must be comprehensive,
representative of current conditions, and easy to use.
In
line with this mandate, non-transport related noise
has been identified as one of the key baseline environmental
information to be gathered.
|
| |
|
| 2.1 |
Objective
of the Study |
| |
|
|
Information
was gathered when the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO,
Cap. 400) was drafted by the Government in 1988 to provide
references for promulgating the Acceptable Noise Levels
(ANLs) in the relevant Technical Memoranda. Coupled
with the fast pace of development in the past decade,
gathering noise baselines in relation to specific activities
and sources that have particular bearings on the noise
climate is a pressing necessity.
To
date, very little work has been done systematically
on a Hong Kong-wide basis to monitor background noise
levels. This baseline monitoring study provides means
of supplementing existing data so as to bridge the information
gap on the overall background noise climate in Hong
Kong. This study covers key activities and sources for
the purpose of providing reasonable indication of the
overall picture of non-transport related noise climate
in Hong Kong.
|
| |
|
| 2.2 |
Application
of the Information to the SUSDEV21 Study |
| |
|
|
In
the broader context, background noise baselines are
important tools in gauging long term noise climate degradation
or improvement at the macro or strategic level. Without
such baselines, it is difficult to compare, monitor
and ascertain if development strategies, planning emphases
or similar macro level approaches are enhancing the
sustainability of the environmental noise climate.
The
gathering of relevant data for establishing current
noise baselines that focussed on particular activities
and sources would enable and facilitate the Government
to:
-
set
up pragmatic goals in measuring future accomplishments;
-
target
specific areas of concern;
-
evaluate
the acceptability of future development scenarios
with reference to the baseline; and
-
formulate
plans, if necessary, to cap or address noise levels
in certain areas.
|
| |
|
|
|
     |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|