Antwerp residents test noise-canceling fountains to mask traffic noise

Acoustic pollution has long been overlooked as a health threat, but according to the European Environmental Bureau, noise ranks second only to fine particulate matter pollution as the environmental exposure most harmful to public health. Long-term exposure can cause or exacerbate cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and sleep disturbances, and the list of adverse health outcomes is growing as research continues.

Thanks to a busy highway running through the city, one in four Antwerp residents experience daily noise levels exceeding 65 decibels, so the need for reducing and masking noise is unmistakable. While its new traffic-hushing fountain will only create a small zone of tranquility, it's a start. And it's indicative of a rising demand for urban planning that prioritizes physical and mental wellbeing. As people seek respite from the stressors of urban life, brands have a unique opportunity to be part of the solution. How about collaborating with municipalities and experts in acoustic design to create public spaces that not only look good but sound good?