Community Protest Over Loud Noises from New Construction Sites: Over 100 Signatures Collected to Oppose Playground Noises
In the heart of Munich, a long-standing public green space on Nockherberg has become a subject of debate. The area, open and accessible to all, has recently seen the construction of high-priced apartments, a development that has not been met with universal approval.
Jörg Spengler, the chief of the city's Building Authority (BA), finds the quarter well-planned but expresses concerns over the type of housing being built. He believes that the construction project has brought only high-priced apartments, a development that may not cater to the diverse needs of the community.
The issue at hand is the new playground, intended for young people. Despite the facility being a much-loved spot for children, some residents have raised concerns about noise levels, particularly from the street basketball facility. As a result, discussions are underway to reduce the usage times from 22 hours to 20 hours, although the BA sees this critically.
In response to the noise complaints, the BA has proposed improvements to the street basketball facility. These include replacing the current floor with a tartan one, which is known for its noise-reducing properties. Furthermore, the BA has agreed to plant an additional 10 to 20 trees next spring to help mitigate the playground noises towards residential buildings.
Greening the wall near the playground is also being considered as a measure to further reduce noise levels. The BA acknowledges that the neighbourhood is not quiet and appeals for mutual understanding.
However, users of the playground are not as concerned about the noise issue. One mother believes that the problem will resolve itself in 20 years as the trees grow taller. Despite the ongoing discussions, it appears that no major disputes have been publicly reported or broadly covered in recent online content regarding the Nockherberg playground.
The football playing on the large meadow in the middle of the park remains allowed, ensuring that the facility continues to serve its primary purpose of providing recreational space for young people. The BA's efforts to address the noise concerns and improve the playground facilities show a commitment to finding a solution that balances the needs of both the community and the park's users.
Jörg Spengler, while appreciating the planned quarter, voices his concern about the predominance of high-priced apartments, perhaps suggesting a need for more residential properties that cater to a wider range of income levels in the community's real-estate market. To lessen the noise impact from the playground, the Building Authority proposes investments in noise-reducing facilities such as a tartan basketball court floor and additional trees, demonstrating an interest in financially supporting improvements for the betterment of the residential areas.
