Urban development, economic growth, and related growth in transportation, are the major pressures increasing noise levels in the DMA. The growth in the informal sector and changing entertainment and music tastes have also increased the penetration of noise sources into residential areas.

Urban development and economic growth
The expansion of industrial, commercial and residential activities in the DMA has created more noise sources throughout the City. The impact of this is compounded by the fact that urban development is becoming more decentralised with several development nodes and corridors developing throughout the city. In some areas (for example the South Industrial Basin) industries using noisy processes are located in close proximity to residential areas. Many more 'interface' zones where industrial and commercial activities potentially impact on residential areas are being created by the pattern of urban development.

In addition to this, local government entities, e.g. Pinetown and New Germany, prior to incorporation into the Inner West City Council, were responsible for their own Town Planning Schemes. Unfortunately, these Schemes did not ensure that the boundaries of their areas were compatible, resulting in industrial properties bordering on residentail areas. Within the North and South Central Council, a similar problem has resulted in Merebank where industrial properties border on residential areas.

Growth in transportation
Durban's growing population coupled with its growing economy has resulted in increased numbers of vehicles on the City's roads and increased air traffic. Growth in the industrial sector has resulted in increased transportation of heavy industrial goods on major roads and freeways which often divide residential areas.This means that increasing transportation related noise is impacting on residents. Rail shunting activities also contribute to increased noise levels in some areas.

Growth in the informal sector
The DMA has one of the fastest growing informal business sectors in the country. Informal sector activities such as panel beating, tuck shops, woodworking etc are often carried out from home and are resulting in higher noise levels within some residential areas.

Changes in entertainment and music tastes
The increased popularity of nightclubs, and modern music which emphasises a strong bass, has increased the number of music-related noise complaints. In the case of modern music, the longer wave lengths of the lower frequencies used, penetrate further into surrounding areas than higher frequency music.