Environmental noise has become one of the greatest sources of nuisance in developed countries. Although apparently simple, the subject of noise pollution is extensive and complicated, with different scientific, technical, economic, political and social aspects, and important repercussions for society.

A comprehensive and up-to-date overview of urban noise, this volume includes all the fundamental aspects required to understand this important field of environmental science. Each chapter is presented in a form easily accessible to a wide range of readers including postgraduate students, researchers, lecturers and professionals in fields as diverse as physics, engineering, architecture, urbanism, health, education, sociology, law, and psychology.