Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect
Energy
Available
Available Procedia
online
online 00 (2018) 000–000
atatwww.sciencedirect.com
www.sciencedirect.com
Energy Procedia 00 (2018) 000–000 www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect
www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia

Energy
EnergyProcedia
Procedia153 (2018) 000–000
00 (2017) 334–341
www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia
5th International Conference on Energy and Environment Research, ICEER 2018
5th International Conference on Energy and Environment Research, ICEER 2018
Quiet areas and urban sustainability
Quiet areas and urban sustainability
The 15th International
RuiSymposium on District Heating and Cooling
Calejo Rodrigues*
Rui Calejo Rodrigues*
Assessing the feasibility of using the heat demand-outdoor
CONSTRUCT/GEQUALTEC/NI&DEA – FEUP Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto 4200-465 PORTO, Portugal
CONSTRUCT/GEQUALTEC/NI&DEA – FEUP Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto 4200-465 PORTO, Portugal
temperature function for a long-term district heat demand forecast
Abstract
Abstract I. Andrića,b,c*, A. Pinaa, P. Ferrãoa, J. Fournierb., B. Lacarrièrec, O. Le Correc
About 0.62 million DALYs are lost yearly among the urban population in EU countries owing to the occurrence of noise annoyance.
a
About
One of IN+
0.62 Center
the for DALYs
million
appointed Innovation,
causes Technology
aredeals with and
lost yearly Policy
among
the fact the Research
that urban -areas
Instituto
urbanpopulation areSuperior
in Técnico,
EU countries
focus of Av.
owingRovisco
sustainability Pais
tostrategies
the 1, 1049-001
occurrence of Lisbon, Portugal
noise annoyance.
not considering the noise
b
One
factor.ofAs thea appointed
matter of causes
fact, Veolia
natural Recherche
dealsresources, & Innovation,
with the energy,
fact thateconomy,
urban 291areas
Avenue
air areDreyfous
focus
quality amongofDaniel, 78520
sustainability
others, are Limay, Francenot considering
strategies
usual environmental factors the noise
associated
c
factor. As a matter
to sustainability Département
of fact,
studies Systèmes
natural
but not noise.Énergétiques
resources,
Because etofEnvironnement
energy, economy,
the evolution - of
air IMT Atlantique,
quality among
humanity, 4others,
rue Alfred
people Kastler,
arearedriven
usual to 44300 Nantes, factors
environmental
live together France
in big associated
(very big)
urban spaces, where urban noise is usually the scope of acoustic studies in its physical aspects but rarely involvinginpeople
to sustainability studies but not noise. Because of the evolution of humanity, people are driven to live together big (very big)
reaction.
urban
It is thespaces,
case ofwhere urban noise
the reaction of usersis usually
of QuiettheAreas
scopeevaluated
of acoustic bystudies in its and
noise maps physical aspects
statistical but rarely involving people reaction.
parameters.
It is the
The aimcase of the
of this work reaction of users
is focused in the ofrelationship
Quiet Areasbetweenevaluated by noise
urban noisemaps and statistical
in “quiet areas” andparameters.
human reaction as a beacon for urban
Abstract
The aim of thisItwork
sustainability. is focused
is proposed the in the relationship
“quiet area reactionbetween
to noiseurban
- ANN” noise in “quiet
concept areas” and
to promote human
areas reaction
in urban as a beacon
landscape wherefornoturban
only
sustainability.
sound is related It iswith
proposed
nature,the but“quiet
also area
faunareaction
and flora to noise - ANN” concept
are representative of atomenpromote
low areas
impactin intervention.
urban landscape where not rules
International only
District heating networks are commonly addressed in the literature as one of the most effective solutions for decreasing the
sound is related
recommend withcitizen
that any nature, but also
should not befauna andfrom
farther floraa quiet
are representative of a men
area than 30 walking low
min. ANN impact intervention.
is proposed International
as an annoyance rules
reaction
greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector. These systems require high investments which are returned through the heat
recommendwith
correlation that Equivalent
any citizen Noise
shouldLevelnot be[Lden,
fartherLn].from a quiet
The area than
proposed 30 walking
concept is applied min. ANN in
at Porto is proposed
two differentas an annoyance
cases of Quietreaction
Areas,
sales. Due to the changed climate conditions and building renovation policies, heat demand in the future could decrease,
correlation
City Park and withCovelo
Equivalent
Farm,Noisefrom Level
where[Lden,
data isLn]. The proposed
presented concept isof
as an illustration applied at PortoConclusions
the concept. in two different cases
allow of Quiet Areas,
understanding that
prolonging the investment return period.
City Park
noise mapsand Covelo
based Farm, from
on Equivalent where
Noise data [Leq,
Levels is presented
Ln] areas notansuitable
illustration of the people
to identify concept. Conclusions
reaction in “Quietallow understanding
Areas”. The proposedthat
The main scope of this paper is to assess the feasibility of using the heat demand – outdoor temperature function for heat demand
noise maps
model basedaccurate
is quite on Equivalent
for “none”Noiseand Levels [Leq, Ln]
“highly” are not suitable
annoyance to identify
environments and people
furtherreaction
researchin is “Quiet
neededAreas”. The proposed
do better identify
forecast. The district of Alvalade, located in Lisbon (Portugal), was used as a case study. The district is consisted of 665
model is quite
“moderate” and accurate for “none” and “highly” annoyance environments and further research is needed do better identify
“little” annoyance.
buildings that vary in both construction period and typology. Three weather scenarios (low, medium, high) and three district
“moderate” and “little” annoyance.
renovation scenarios were developed (shallow, intermediate, deep). To estimate the error, obtained heat demand values were
© 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
© compared
2018 TheThewith results
Authors. from a dynamic
Published by heatLtd.
demand model, previously developed and validated by the authors.
©
This2018
is an open Authors.
accessPublished
article underby Elsevier
Elsevier Ltd.
the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
The isresults
This an openshowed
access that whenunder
article only theweather change is considered,
CC BY-NC-ND the margin of error could be acceptable for some applications
license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
This is an and
Selection openpeer-review
access article underresponsibility
under the CC BY-NC-ND of the license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
scientific committee of the
Selection
(the errorand peer-review
in annual demand underwasresponsibility
lower than 20% of the
for scientific
all weather committee the 5th
5th International
scenariosofconsidered). International Conference on
However, Conference on Energy
after introducing Energy and
and
renovation
Selection
Environment
Environment and peer-review
Research,
Research, ICEERunder
ICEER responsibility
2018. of the scientific committee of the 5th International
2018. up to 59.5% (depending on the weather and renovation scenarios combination considered). Conference on Energy and
scenarios, the error value increased
Environment Research, ICEER 2018.
The value of slope coefficient increased on average within the range of 3.8% up to 8% per decade, that corresponds to the
Keywords: Quiet areas; sustainability; urban acoustics; urban noise
decrease in the number of heating hours of 22-139h during the heating season (depending on the combination of weather and
Keywords: Quiet areas; sustainability; urban acoustics; urban noise
renovation scenarios considered). On the other hand, function intercept increased for 7.8-12.7% per decade (depending on the
coupled scenarios). The values suggested could be used to modify the function parameters for the scenarios considered, and
improve the accuracy of heat demand estimations.

© 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +351 225081940; fax: +351 225081940.
Peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific Committee of The 15th International Symposium on District Heating and
* E-mail address:author.
Corresponding calejo@fe.up.pt
Tel.: +351 225081940; fax: +351 225081940.
Cooling.
E-mail address: calejo@fe.up.pt
1876-6102 © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Keywords: Heat demand; Forecast; Climate change
This is an open
1876-6102 access
© 2018 Thearticle under
Authors. the CC BY-NC-ND
Published license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
by Elsevier Ltd.
Selection
This is an and
openpeer-review under
access article responsibility
under of the scientific
the CC BY-NC-ND licensecommittee of the 5th International Conference on Energy and Environment
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Research, and
Selection ICEER 2018. under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 5th International Conference on Energy and Environment
peer-review
Research, ICEER 2018.
1876-6102 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
1876-6102 © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific Committee of The 15th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 5th International Conference on Energy and
Environment Research, ICEER 2018.
10.1016/j.egypro.2018.10.072
 Rui Calejo Rodrigues / Energy Procedia 153 (2018) 334–341 335
2 Rui Calejo Rodrigues/ Energy Procedia 00 (2018) 000–000

1. Introduction

Among the current environmental problems, urban noise can be considered one of the main sources of pollution.
Since 1972, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared noise as pollutant. In this same decade, the project
developed by Murray Schafer in Canada, World Soundscape Project [1], defended the importance of improving the
quality of urban sound environment, due to the negative effects of noise pollution on human health.
The concerns related to the effects of noise exposure on health, well-being and quality of life of the population, is
increasing because of the processes of urbanization, industrialization and the growing expansion of transport systems
has worsened this panorama. In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) [2] revealed that at least 1 million years
of healthy life are lost due to the traffic noise in Western European countries. The most cited examples how noise
health effects are sleep disorders and the hassle. It is estimated that DALYs lost from environmental noise in the EU
countries are:
• 21 000 years for tinnitus;
• 45 000 years for cognitive impairment of children;
• 60 000 years for ischemic heart disease;
• 654 000 years for annoyance
• 903 000 years for sleep disturbance;

About 0.62 million DALYs [Disability-adjusted life year] are lost yearly among the urban population in EU
countries owing to the occurrence of noise annoyance.
Urban noise is generated by the action of sound sources that can be characterized as point sources from a single
point and propagated identically in all directions; and, linear sources, from which the sound propagation develops
along a line segment. This classification allows to differentiate three types of noise: Noise, linear source of permanent
noise from permanent activities, as the noise produced by transport infrastructure (road, rail and air); Temporary noise,
which involves activities that have non-permanent character as civil construction, festivals, fairs and markets; and
neighborhood noise, associated with the use of housing and activities inherent to it.
In 2002, the European Community adopted Directive 2002/49/CE202, relating to the assessment and management
of environmental noise in order to control and reduce noise pollution from a common approach, able to avoid or
prevent the harmful effects of exposure to noise. To do so, establishes the obligation to draw up strategic noise maps
to determine exposure to environmental noise outside, based on harmonized evaluation methods within the European
Union, information to the public about the levels of exhibition, its effects and the creation of action plans based on the
results obtained by the maps.
In this article, are presented the results of a study of experimental evaluation of noise using the urban quiet areas
concept, in the city of Porto, Portugal (Fig. 1), in an attempt to identify the effects/reaction of this exposure on the
population.

City Park Covelo Farm

Fig. 1. Selected Quiet Areas in the city of Porto, Portugal (source Google Maps)
336 Rui Calejo Rodrigues / Energy Procedia 153 (2018) 334–341
Rui Calejo Rodrigues/ Energy Procedia 00 (2018) 000–000 3

2. Methodology

The scientific approach was ruled by a flowchart according with Fig. 2.

Fig. 2. Methodology

Two different urban areas, possible quiet areas, were selected assuming that one is overexposed to noise [where
annoyance is expected to by high] and another with none over exposed to noise areas [where annoyance is expected
to be low]. In each area random users were selected to answer an inquiry based on demographic and annoyance data.
Using a noise sound meter and a modeling software CadnaA, noise maps were produced identifying in each quiet area
the average path throw which moving noise exposure was calculated. Data collected was correlated with annoyance
reaction calculation ANN – annoyance reaction correlation.

3. The Quiet Areas

Two urban parks in the city of Porto were selected, an exposed, Quinta do Covelo and another, not exposed, the
City Park.
Quinta do Covelo is a green space, with approximately eight acres situated in the midst of a residential area in the
parish of Paranhos and is bounded by four streets (R. Faria Guimarães, R. Bolama, Travessa do Monte de São João
and R. Álvaro Castelões) and is quite near the exit of the Beltway (VCI). The VCI is a large motorway extension (21
km), quick movement and supports on average a daily traffic of 21,000 vehicles and around the central zone of Porto.
In this way, the Park suffers the influence of traffic of cars and buses, and is near two Metro stations.

Fig. 3. Quinta do Covelo

The City Park (Fig. 4) located in the parish of Nevogilde is the largest urban park in Portugal, with extension of 83
hectares of green areas and a long network of paths (about 10 km). Despite being surrounded by three streets: Estrada
da Circunvalação, Av. da Boavista, and Via do Castelo do Queijo, its wide extension minimizes the influence of these
sources.
 Rui Calejo Rodrigues / Energy Procedia 153 (2018) 334–341 337
4 Rui Calejo Rodrigues/ Energy Procedia 00 (2018) 000–000

Fig. 4. City Park

4. Survey

A cross-sectional study was conducted between the months of March and May 2012 in the city of Porto, in the
representative areas. The population of study involved adults (minimum age of 20 years) who have agreed to
participate in the research. Leaflets were distributed about the nature and purpose of the research. Three visits were
conducted during the week and on weekends, to ensure the representativeness of the sample. The sample selection
process had peculiarities inherent characteristics of the study, which aimed to compare groups. Thus, a total of 60
individuals was selected at random. The sample size was reduced due to difficulties in collaboration of the regulars of
the parks, which were performing physical and recreation activities and had no availability to answer the quest.
For data collection, three types of questionnaires were divided into sections: a) demographic characteristics – sex,
age and marital status; b) exposure Group in each area; c) Perception of noise sources; d) Nuisance in relation to noise;
d) other effects of exposure to noise-quality sleep, perception in relation to the hearing and presence of chronic
diseases; and) Perception in relation to environmental issues and in particular noise pollution. The questionnaires were
applied by researchers.
From the descriptive analysis it was traced the demographic profile of the population according to the perception
of noise sources and environmental problems, as well as the effects of exposure. To identify the association between
exposure and awareness of sources and reports of effects of this exposure Chi-square test was used. It was used the
ordinal logistic regression model, which is a regression model of proportionate reasons, assuming the dependent
variable, nuisance in relation to noise, behaves in a manner ordinal for each Predictor. Thus, it was verified the factors
associated with reports of nuisance in relation to noise.

5. Results

5.1. Demographic data

Table 1 resumes demographic characterizing data. As shown, average age is 55 years with 2.0 years standard
deviation being 41.7% male and 58.3% female, 69.5% married and having a scholarship degree (76.7%). Further, in
Table 2 it is possible to identify that 73.3% have good earing (based on inquiry answers) but almost 1/3 (31.7%)
referred other non-identified illness. Concerning environmental problems, noise is not one of them.

Table 1. Resume of demographic characteristics

Demographic Characteristics
Average age (SD) Sex Marital Status Education
Male Female Single Married Divorced Widow Degree No degree
55.0 (2.0) 41.7 58.3 16.9 69.5 6.8 6.8 76.7 23.3

Table 2. Resume of other effects

Other effects
Earing Chronic Illness Perception of noise as an environmental problem
Excellent Good Bad No Yes No Yes
10,0 73,3 16,7 68,3 31,7 1,7 98,3
338 Rui Calejo Rodrigues / Energy Procedia 153 (2018) 334–341
Rui Calejo Rodrigues/ Energy Procedia 00 (2018) 000–000 5

5.2. Exposure Groups

Fig. 5 shows the noise maps and the maps of each USE, from which it was possible to validate exposure groups.

a) Quinta do Covelo path d) City Park path

b) Quinta do Covelo Noise Map Lden e) City Park Noise Map Lden

c) Quinta do Covelo Noise Map Ln f) City Park Noise Map Ln

Fig. 5. Noise Maps Lden, Ln and Path

 Rui Calejo Rodrigues / Energy Procedia 153 (2018) 334–341 339
6 Rui Calejo Rodrigues/ Energy Procedia 00 (2018) 000–000

In Fig. 5, the route chosen for the calculation of the averages in urban parks, energy followed by the respective
maps of noise and overexposure. The Quinta do Covelo is located in a zone of over-exposure and the City Park, in an
area not exposed.
Both groups (from each Quiet Area) were evaluated according to the relative exposure to noise. Table 3 shows that
regarding Portuguese national regulations, the legal limit was passed at Quinta do Covelo both regarding Lden and Ln.
Nevertheless the reaction of users is not different in both parks.

Table 3. Exposure groups and energy levels in the average

Energy Energy Not
Classification of zones Legal limit average Lden average Ln Exposed
(dB) (dB) Exposed

“Mistas” “Sensíveis” Lden (dB) Ln (dB)

Covelo Farm X 55 45 63.3 47.5 X

City Park X 55 45 52.6 44.8 X

5.3. Noise reaction

Fig. 6 shows the exposure to noise reaction of respondents. The majority (91.7%) reported attending the urban parks
for the purpose of leisure and 40.7% mentioned a minimum frequency of three times a week. The majority of
respondents (65%) reported to understand noise sources within these parks, with 31.7% for the road noise and 23.3%,
noise. Despite this perception, 65% reported considering the environment quiet parks and 20% mentioned hassle of
degree take regarding this noise. When questioned as to the degree of importance of the choice of quiet environments
for leisure activities, 88% rated it as very important.
It was observed association between exposure and perception of noise sources (p = 0.79) but not regarding to the
uncomfortable feeling due to this noise (p = 0.19).

Fig. 6. Exposure to noise reaction Lden and Ln in dB(A)

6. Discussion

The statistical analysis of the results obtained made it possible to conclude that the use of this model can represent
an important tool when it comes to check the reaction of people to the urban noise. Perceptions about the presence of
340 Rui Calejo Rodrigues / Energy Procedia 153 (2018) 334–341
Rui Calejo Rodrigues/ Energy Procedia 00 (2018) 000–000 7

noise sources and the effects of this perception were reported differently in the different urban soundscapes.
In the Quiet Area scenario, independent of exposure, there was a sense of permanent noise sources, although it has
not been found any statistically significant association with the effects of this exposure. One can suggest that as the
uncomfortable due to the perceived noise was referred to in both groups, no statistically significant association was
observed between exposure and uncomfortable. Thus, a new parameter entitled [ANN] Annoyance Reaction
Correlation is proposed based on the correlations obtained in Fig. 7.

Noise vs Annoyance in Quiet Noise vs Annoyance in Quiet

Areas - Moderate Areas - Little
80 80
70 None 70

60 60
Little 50 None
50
40 Little

%
40 Moderate
%

y = 2,2295x2 - 11,802x + 24,155 30 Moderate

30 R² = 0,4519
20 y= -2,4348x2+ 19,208x - 13,635 Highly
Highly
20 10 R² = 0,6955 Polinomial (Little)
10 Polinomial 0
0 (Moderate)
48,5dB 52,5dB 57,8dB 63,3dB 67,5dB 72,8dB

Noise vs Annoyance in Quiet Noise vs Annoyance in Quiet

Areas - None Areas - Highly
80 80
70 70 y = 6,0679x2 - 31,241x + 33,976
R² = 0,8868
60 60
50 None 50 None
40 Little 40 Little
%

30 Moderate 30 Moderate
%

20 Highly 20 Highly
10 y = -1,2248x2 + 4,2469x + 20,379 Polinomial (None) 10 Polinomial (Highly)
R² = 0,9326
0 0
-10
-20

Fig. 7. ANN – Noise versus Annoyance Correlation

7. Conclusion

It is concluded that the use of noise mapping as a strategic tool of prevention to non-auditory effects of noise
exposure on the health of the population can be questionable. The indicator Lden (day-evening-night) may not be
representative of exposure levels in Quiet Areas and the Ln (night) may also not be adjusted. The importance of noise
maps for representation of the acoustic situation arising from permanent noise sources is unquestionable. however, the
reaction of people to noise exposure is also subject to temporary noise sources.
The evaluation model established in this study represents an important tool in order to clarify the relationship
between noise exposure and the concept of quiet area. It is worth mentioning the importance of the establishment of
daily noise exposure profiles for the population in an attempt to understand the effects of noise as a form of direct
action plans to prevent, reduce and prevent the harmful effects of noise exposure.
Therefore, in synthesis:
• “Quiet Areas Policy” is a good strategy for noise sustainability in urban areas
• Noise Maps based on Equivalent Noise Levels [Leq] are not suitable to identify people reaction in “Quiet Areas”
 Rui Calejo Rodrigues / Energy Procedia 153 (2018) 334–341 341
8 Rui Calejo Rodrigues/ Energy Procedia 00 (2018) 000–000

• The prevision of human reaction to noise in “Quiet Areas” is possible and is a tool to identify these areas in a
urban sound space
• The proposed model is quite accurate for “none” and “highly” annoyance environments and further research is
needed do better identify “moderate” and “little” annoyance

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank FCT – Fundação Ciência e Tecnologia, Program COMPETE e QREN – Quadro de
Referência Estratégico Nacional, that funded this work.

References

[1] Schafer, R. Murray Schafer. “World Soundscape Project”. Simon Fraser University (SFU). (1969-2009).
[2] WHO - World Health Organization. “Burden of disease from environmental noise - quantification of healthy life years lost in Europe”, Frank
Theakston. (2011)
[3] .de Paiva Vianna Karina Mary, Alves Cardoso Maria Regina, Rodrigues Rui Manuel Calejo. (2015) “Noise pollution and annoyance: An urban
soundscapes study”. Noise and Health (2015), Volume 17, Issue Number 76, Page 125-133
[4] Guski R1, Schreckenberg D2, Schuemer R3.(2017) WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region: A Systematic Review on
Environmental Noise and Annoyance.. International Journal of Environ Research and Public Health. (2017) Dec 8;14(12). pii: E1539. doi:
10.3390/ijerph14121539
[5] Passchier-Vermeer W, Passchier WF). "Noise exposure and public health". Environmental Health Perspectives. (2001) 08 Suppl. 123–31.