A new study reveals the transformation of key streets in Barcelona’s Eixample district into pedestrian-focused ‘green axes’ has successfully reduced daily urban noise levels by an average of 3.1 decibels. This research offers some of the first empirical evidence that the city’s ambitious traffic-calming strategies are delivering a quieter, more liveable environment for residents.
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The study, led by researchers at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB), analysed data from seven permanent acoustic monitoring stations. It compared noise levels in 2022, before the pedestrianisation work, with data from 2023, one year after the new green corridors were established. These axes are a cornerstone of Barcelona’s ‘Superblocks’ (Superilles) programme, a model of urban planning designed to reclaim public space from motor vehicles in the dense, grid-like Eixample neighbourhood.
A Sound Difference by Day and Week
According to findings first reported by La Vanguardia, the noise reduction was not uniform throughout the day or week. The most significant decreases occurred during daylight hours and on weekdays, when the absence of commuter and commercial traffic had the greatest impact. The quietest spots were the newly created public squares at the intersections of two green axes, furthest from the remaining thoroughfares.
However, the study also identified an exception: weekend afternoons and evenings. During these periods, noise levels remained similar to those recorded before the streets were pedestrianised. Researchers attribute this to recreational and leisure activities, as people make use of the newly available public space. Effectively, the hum of traffic has been replaced by the buzz of social life.
Crucially, the study suggests fears of pedestrian noise becoming a new nuisance are unfounded. Samuel Nel·lo Deakin, an ICTA-UAB researcher and the study’s lead author, explained the impact of social activity was less disruptive than initially feared. “The data suggest that the concern that noise generated by pedestrian activity and leisure could become higher than that of traffic does not seem to be justified,” he stated.
A Quieter Home Life, But Challenges Remain
Residents are feeling the benefits of quieter streets inside their homes. Researchers surveyed 1,211 Eixample residents, revealing that 59% of those on main roads with heavy traffic reported noise affecting their ability to use street-facing rooms. This figure dropped to 47% for residents along the new green axes.
Despite these marked improvements, the study highlights the scale of Barcelona’s city-wide noise problem. Even after the 3.1-decibel reduction, noise levels on the analysed streets still exceed guidelines recommended by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union’s Environmental Noise Directive. Both bodies advise ambient noise should not surpass 53-55 decibels. Previous estimates suggest a staggering 94.7% of Barcelona’s population is exposed to levels above these thresholds. This challenge persists even as the city’s broader noise reduction plan has stalled amid legal challenges.
Overall, the study concludes that traffic-calming measures are a potent tool for improving urban soundscapes without simply swapping one type of noise for another. For other dense cities looking to enhance quality of life, the results from Barcelona’s green axes offer a promising, data-backed model for change, complementing other major greening efforts across the city, such as the newly approved park plan in Vallcarca.
