Promoting the involvement of citizens in environmental management: a case study

Noise pollution and certain related aspects were analysed in the Third District of the City of Parma (Italy), with an approach, which aims at promoting the participation of citizens in the choices concerning the administration of the territory. The project aimed at investigating a way to manage an environmental problem such as noise in an urban area by integrating the human perception of it and technical measures. A Local Agenda 21 approach was set up to initiate environmental negotiations between the local authorities and the citizens. At the beginning, a questionnaire was created and submitted to a sample of citizens. On the basis of results and priorities emerged by questionnaires, a survey was then made to obtain noise levels. The integrated analysis of the data acquired, has finally enabled the promotion of strategies to approach noise pollution, by considering the real needs and priorities perceived by citizens.