Assessment of Environmental Noise in Cities: A Theoretical Approach

Environmental noise is a major problem with increasing presence in cities; its effects are not only assimilated into the environment, but also impact on human health. Noise sources are part of the city's daily life and it has not yet been given due attention, although prolonged exposure causes often irreversible physiological and psychosomatic damage. This paper presents a theoretical approach from several authors that expose the different tools that can be used the measurement and evaluation of environmental noise. These authors, to explain the causes and effect of environmental noise in cities consider various variables such as: sound pressure levels, weather conditions and urban structure.