Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Antwerp (2025–2029) plans to reduce noise, especially near homes. Measures include quieter road surfaces, noise walls, and peaceful zones. Alderman Karim Bachar emphasises relaxation. About 8% hear constant loud noise.
Antwerp has a noise problem. Antwerp is working on a plan to fix the problem. They hope to make it quieter, particularly where people live. The scheme will last between 2025 and 2029. Tatjana Scheck, responsible for the environment in Antwerp, says its important to reduce noise pollution, particularly in areas where people live and where the noise is louder than a vacuum cleaner.
How is Antwerp tackling noise pollution with new plans by 2029?
Antwerp is trying to make the city quieter. They’re putting special surfaces on roads that make less noise when cars drive on them. They’re also building walls along busy roads to block noise. They’re thinking about covering some of the Ring Road to keep the noise away from homes. Officials mentioned that the goal is to make sure that by 2030, no one in Antwerp has to listen to loud noises all the time.
“The city may be vibrant, but you should also be able to relax there.”
Karim Bachar (Vooruit), Alderman for the Environment.
According to Karim Bachar, Antwerp is creating special areas in parks and squares where people can relax and get away from the noise. They’re also making it easier to walk and bike by creating quieter streets. To reduce noise from cars, they’re putting special surfaces on roads that make less noise. They’re also using electric vehicles instead of noisy ones and making cars drive slower in some areas.
“We want to ensure that every Antwerp resident can find such a place to relax within a maximum of 400 metres. The city may of course, be vibrant, but you must also find peace there.”
Karim Bachar
Antwerp is putting special fountains in a park that make water sounds to cover up the noise from traffic. These fountains were designed with the help of Ghent University and an art group called Aifoon. They’re also building walls to block noise, which will help both the park and the neighborhoods around it.
Antwerp wants to make sure that people have a say in how they make the city quieter, so they’re asking for feedback starting on April 10th, 2025. They’re putting all the information on Antwerp’s website so everyone can see it. Officials mentioned that Antwerp wants to be a model for other cities on how to make urban areas quieter and more peaceful.
According to the 2023 map, about 8% of people in Antwerp hear loud noises all the time, like a vacuum cleaner. The noise comes from cars on busy roads, like the Antwerp Ring Road and the Leien. Officials mentioned that this can make people stressed, give them high blood pressure, and keep them from sleeping well.
