Bilbao Sound Strategy : A Comprehensive , Flexible and Balanced Approach

The City Council of Bilbao was a pioneering municipality in noise management, becoming the first local government in Spain with its own Noise Ordinance, Noise Map and monitoring system. However, the initial approach to the policy on noise was of a clearly sector-based nature and not proactive. Today the City Council believes one of the keys to adding value to the city and its spaces includes management of the noise factor. To this end, the City Council is deploying a Sound Strategy which is intended to make Bilbao a space where sounds coexist, improving its people’s quality of life. The municipality is leading comprehensive, flexible and balanced management of the sound factor in Bilbao through a shared commitment with different role-players in the city and citizenry. This paper introduces key elements within the strategy, as well as the services and applications that contribute to creating the instruments which will further its implementation and development.