Designing Soundscape for Sustainable Urban Development

Designing Soundscape for Sustainable Urban Development was organised in cooperation between the City of Stockholm, the COST Action TD 0804 “Soundscape of European Cities and Landscapes”, EUROCITIES’ working group on noise policy, Swedish Association of Architects, and the Swedish Society for Town and Country Planning. Stockholm University represented the COST Action on soundscape as local organiser, and was responsible for the scientific programme of the conference in collaboration with KTH Royal Institute of Technology and the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm. The conference received financial support from the City of Stockholm, the COST Action on soundscape, the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (Formas), and the Swedish Research Council (VR). Stockholm University administrated the research grants of the conference.

The City of Stockholm – The first European Green Capital, 2010

On February 23, 2009, the European Commission chose Stockholm as Europe’s first Green Capital, commending its long-term focus on environmental issues. Stockholm, the largest city in Scandinavia, is a meeting place for people of different cultures, a gateway for new ideas and a centre for culture, sports and entertainment. It is one of the world’s most beautiful cities, with excellent public services, an enviable waterfront location and a glorious local countryside. It is a rapidly growing city with 800,000 inhabitants. The City of Stockholm has outlined an overall, long-term vision – Vision Stockholm 2030 – for sustainable growth and development. By 2030, Stockholm is to be a versatile and dynamic city, one which promotes innovation and growth, and one which belongs to its citizens.

COST Action – Soundscape of European Cities and Landscapes

The main aim of the COST Action on soundscape is to provide the underpinning science for soundscape research and make the field go significantly beyond the current state-of-the-art, through coordinated international and interdisciplinary efforts. The action will promote soundscape into current legislations, policies and practice, aiming at improving/preserving our sonic environment.

EUROCITIES – Working Group on Noise Policy

The Working Group supports EUROCITIES members with the implementation of European directives relating to the assessment and management of urban noise.

working group objectives

• monitor and respond to European policy development
• support EUROCITIES members with the implementation of the requirements of Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise
• exchange experience and knowledge about noise, preventing and reducing noise among associated cities

Swedish Association of Architects

Swedish Association of Architects is a professional organization for architects, interior architects, landscape architects, and spatial planners. The organization’s mission is to protect the interests of its members. The aim is to strengthen the architects’ role in the planning, construction and management process.

Swedish Society for Town and Country Planning

The Swedish Society for Town and Country Planning is a non-profit organization for people interested in planning. The society was founded in 1947 in connection with the introduction of new instruments for planning and housing policy in Sweden. We now have some 1,200 members around the country in six regional branches. Our aim is to promote an exchange of ideas about planning’s goals, methods, and fields of expertise. We uphold the principle of planning as a democratic instrument of control. At the same time, we apply a critical eye in scrutinizing planning results and the quality of planning work. The society works both nationally and locally to pursue issues of professional development, discussion and debate, response to governmental proposals, organization of conferences and study trips, creating meeting places, and other activities.

Stockholm University

Stockholm University organises higher education and leading international research in humanities, law, the natural and social sciences. With more than 50,000 undergraduate and master students, 1,800 doctoral students and 6,000 employees, Stockholm University is one of the largest universities in Sweden and one of the largest employers in Stockholm. People of many different nationalities, with contacts throughout the world, contribute to the creation of a highly international atmosphere.

KTH Royal Institute of Technology

KTH organises higher education and research in natural sciences, all the branches of engineering, as well as, architecture, industrial engineering and management, urban planning, work science and environmental engineering. With a total of just over 13,000 full-year equivalent undergraduate students, more than 1,500 active postgraduate students and nearly 3,000 full time equivalent employees KTH accounts for one-third of Sweden’s technical research and engineering education capacity at university level. In addition to the research carried out by KTH’s Schools, a large number of national and local Competence Centres are located at KTH.

Konstfack – University College of Arts, Crafts and Design

The university college of arts, crafts and design in Stockholm is the largest school of higher education in the arts in Sweden. Each year approximately 900 students participate in bachelor and master programmes, the teacher’s training programme, or independent courses. The majority of the teaching staff works part-time at the college besides their own practice in the arts. Internationally the college collaborates with approximately 60 universities in more than 25 countries.

Formas

Formas, the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning, is a governmental research-funding agency related to the Ministry of the Environment. Formas encourages and supports scientifically significant research related to sustainable development, and stimulates activities aiming at cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary approaches within its area of responsibility. The Research Council provides mechanisms for the communication of research results and stimulates the public debate on issues of concern, originating from or related to research for sustainable development.

The Swedish Research Council

The Swedish Research Council is an authority within the Ministry of Education and Research that allocate funds to all scientific disciplines and aim to increase the understanding in Sweden of the importance of basic research to society. The council identify research areas for strategic investment, and promote communication between researchers and different academic areas, as well as, between researchers and society otherwise. It also promotes multi- and interdisciplinary research and international collaboration, and makes research results accessible.