Urban planning plays a key role in reducing noise levels and promoting healthy lifestyles:

• Urban centres with a population of over 100,000 in the European Union are obliged to provide information on noise pollution by means of noise maps (in Barcelona this mapa is also available to the public, allowing them to check the noise levels on the street where they live).
• Cities are also obliged to develop and implement action plans to reduce noise levels in the areas most affected by the problem. Some of the most common strategies are:
  • Low-noise road surfacing
  • Limiting traffic volumes
  • Reducing speed limits
  • Establishing silent zones, such as green spaces