The geospatial distribution and mapping of urban noise pollution in Astana city

Over the past three decades, noise pollution has become a noticeable phenomenon in cities. Noise is an environmental stressor that adversely affects interpersonal communication, diminishes quality of life, impairs attention and cognitive function, and triggers emotional responses, resulting in noise-related discomfort. According to WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines, any noise above a threshold value of 55 dB is considered to be harmful to human health. Excessive noise can cause stress, sleep disturbances, hearing loss, and other health problems, impacting both psychological and physical well-being. Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, experiences varying noise levels influenced by urban development, traffic, construction, and industrial activity. In central areas and along major roads, noise levels often exceed recommended limits, especially during peak traffic hours. This study provides quantitative evaluation of geospatial distributions of noise levels in the rapidly growing city of Astana, Kazakhstan. Over the entire measurement period, from October 22 to November 22, 2024 the average noise level in Astana was recorded at 73 dB. In this study 840 noise pollution measurements were conducted at 20 different noise measurement stations (NM1-NM20) in Astana. Data were collected at various times of day—morning (8:00–9:30), midday (13:00–14:30), and evening (17:30–19:00)—using the Sound Level Meter (SLM) UT352 and SLM NIOSH mobile app. The average discrepancy between measurements taken with the NIOSH SLM mobile app and the UT 352 SLM device ranges from 0.13 to 6.86 dB, depending on location. Noise measurements were taken in different geographic locations, including central business districts with heavy traffic, as well as residential neighborhoods where background noise is primarily influenced by vehicle traffic and the activities of residents in Astana. In essence, the city’s rapid urbanization is complicated by air and noise pollution, while its extreme climate exacerbates the environmental challenges. The objective of the study is to evaluate noise effects and analyze the characteristics of background noise in the urban environment, with the aim of developing strategies to enhance the urban environmental conditions in Astana city, Kazakhstan.