Architect and urbanist Andrés Borthagaray warned that noise in big cities like Buenos Aires has become a public health issue. Drawing from a survey of over 600 cases in the City of Buenos Aires, he highlighted the severe health damages from sustained noise, supported by international norms and WHO studies.
Architect and urbanist Andrés Borthagaray presented an analysis revealing urban noise's health impact. From a survey of over 600 cases in the City of Buenos Aires, he identified two types of noise pollution: the obvious, like horns and machinery, and the more serious and unnoticed sustained noise from vehicles.
Borthagaray stressed that this constant traffic noise, though often imperceptible, causes worse cumulative effects. "Even if we don't perceive it, it does even more serious damage to our health," he said, citing WHO studies linking noise to stress, sleep disorders, and other conditions. International norms confirm severe damages from certain levels.
Among main sources, highways stand out as the most problematic due to high-speed traffic. "They are one of the gravest sources," the expert stated, noting that reducing speed, as in European cities, can mitigate the impact. Railroads, by contrast, are more manageable and compatible with high-value urban areas.
Borthagaray likened noise to "the new cigarette" and called for urgent measures through public policies and collective awareness. Still, he remained optimistic: international experiences show cities can improve acoustic quality with citizen commitment.
