A wide range of activities create noise in Durban including
industrial and commercial activities, air and road traffic and
domestic living. No systematic noise measurements are carried
out throughout the metropolitan area resulting in little
available information regarding the state of noise pollution
in the DMA. It appears, however, that a significant number of
residents are being negatively impacted by noise pollution and
that the situation is getting worse. Complaints about noise
lodged with the Council are increasing over time.
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What is 'Noise'?
Noise is generally defined as 'unwanted sound'. Sound
is a physical entity resulting from the vibration in air
pressure produced by a sound source and can be measured
scientifically.
Whether or not the sound is
'unwanted' depends on how it is perceived by humans. The
human ear does not 'measure' or perceive all sound
in the same way. Some sounds may be interpreted differently by
different people. Noise measured in a human metric is therefore
something quite different from sound measured in a
scientific metric |
Industrial activity
Industrial enterprises can
create high noise levels through activities such as operating
noisy machinery, loading and unloading goods and manoeuvring
heavy vehicles. Such noise can be particularly disruptive
where industrial activities are located close-by or within
residential areas.
Industrial noise in the South Industrial Basin has been
identified as a major source of community annoyance.
(Insert SEA Figure 5 - Complaints and
perceived noise sources in the Durban South Basin)
Air traffic
Aeroplanes using airport flight paths
create high noise levels which are negatively affecting many
of Durban's residents. Over 1700 aeroplanes (1997 figures)
arrive and depart from the Durban International Airport each
month. During peak periods there are on average 20 aircraft
movements (arrivals and departures) each hour. The noise of
aeroplanes taking off and coming in to land at the airport is
significantly disrupting the lives of people living in some
areas of Merebank and Wentworth where noise levels can
exceed the 60dBA during weekends and evenings. As airport
traffic grows, this area of impact is likely to expand to
include parts of Isipingo and Umbogintwini.
(Insert SEA Map showing recorded noise
readings and predicted airport noise in the Durban South Basin)
Road traffic
Heavy traffic flows on major arterial
roads, and industrial traffic on residential roads, create
high noise levels which often disturb residents. In the Durban South Basin, residents have identified high industrial usage of
residential roads as a major source of noise nuisance. Loud
music played in cars, taxis and buses also causes noise
nuisance.
Commercial activities
Restaurants, taverns, open air
concerts and nightclubs are becoming more common in the
DMA, and they tend to stay open till late in the night. Noise
is related to traffic around these premises, people
communicating and loud music. Many of these activities are
being located within Durban's suburbs and this creates a
potential conflict with residential activities.
Domestic noise
The lack of space for housing in
Durban has resulted in high residential densities in some
areas. People are thus in closer hearing range of each other
and domestic sounds can be disruptive for neighbours. Noise
generated by high density student accommodation is also
disrupting nearby residents.
