A Comparative Study of Noise Polluton Levels in Small and Large Urban Areas

The purpose of this paper is to point to the alarming situation with noise pollution in small urban areas such as Stip with about 50000 inhabitants. Such urban areas are not covered with the regulation of agglomerations so the authorities are not obliged to prepare strategic noise map as a base for future noise control planning. On the other hand, a two year measurement program reveal alarming noise levels, especially in the dynamic central part of the city. Noise levels measured are far above the permissible limits and noise maps review show those levels quite close to the noise levels of major urban areas. Study taken point to several factors for such situation mainly connected with rapid but unbalanced development of society. Considering that similar conditions are to be found in most small urban areas across the region it is of crucial importance to increase awareness of the problem and emphasize the need for rapid implementation of adequate administrative and active protection measures