Number of Sound Pollution Complaints in HDB Estates over Past Two Years and Studies on How to Manage Them Via Better Design and Construction Materials for New HDB Estates
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the rise in sound pollution complaints within HDB estates and strategies to mitigate noise through architectural design and construction materials. Ms Yeo Wan Ling inquired about recent complaint trends and studies on noise management, to which Minister for National Development Desmond Lee noted that monthly feedback rose by 25% in 2021 due to work-from-home arrangements and resumed renovations. The Minister highlighted technical enhancements like thicker reinforced concrete walls and floor slabs, the provision of bedroom vinyl flooring, and the orientation of blocks and car parks to act as noise buffers. He concluded that while HDB explores practical mitigation solutions, a pleasant living environment also depends on residents showing consideration for their neighbors.
Transcript
90 Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether there has been an increase in the number of sound pollution and disturbance complaints in HDB estates over the past two years; and (b) whether the Ministry has conducted studies to understand how noise disturbances can be better managed by better building design and construction materials for new HDB estates.
Mr Desmond Lee: In 2020, HDB received about 2,500 cases of feedback per month relating to noise from residents' activities, including renovation noise. Such feedback increased by about 25% in 2021 to 3,200 per month. The increase is likely due to work-from-home arrangements, coupled with the resumption of renovation activity in June 2020.
Over the years, HDB has made improvements in the construction materials used for better sound insulation. For example, since the mid-1980s, the walls between two flats are made with 100-millimetre reinforced concrete, instead of the hollow blocks used in older flats. In addition, for flats built since 1995, the floor slabs are made of at least 150-millimetre thick bare concrete, which provide better impact noise insulation, compared to the 125-millimetre bare concrete used in older flats. More recently, since February 2017, buyers of Build-to-Order (BTO) flats can also choose to have vinyl strip flooring in their bedrooms, which further reduces sounds from impact. These improvements help to reduce noise transmission within and between HDB flats.
HDB has also taken proactive design measures to minimise noise disturbances, such as situating or orientating HDB blocks away from noise sources and locating multi-storey car parks next to expressways to act as noise buffers.
HDB will continue to explore practical solutions to mitigate noise. At the same time, it is important for residents to do their part by showing consideration for their neighbours, such as by keeping the noise level down when going about their daily activities, especially late at night, so as to provide a pleasant living environment for all.