Metro writes today about a new potential blow to the construction plans in Stockholm. The National Board of Housing, Building and Planning (Boverket) has suggested new rules regarding disturbing noise.
In order to get permission to construct new buildings the noise level would be maximum 50 db instead of 55 db as of today on the quiet side of the house. This would make it practically impossible to build houses close to major city streets. It is the level of noise outside the building that matters; there are techniques to isolate the walls and windows. A few days ago, Dagens Nyheter wrote that 160 000 Stockholmers are exposed to too high levels of noise from cars, trains and airplanes.
There are several areas in Stockholm were new apartments are planned or already under constructions. Altogether accommodation for more than hundred thousand people will, according to the plans, be finished during the next 15-20 years.
The Stockholm chamber of commerce recently established that the shortage of housing in Stockholm is a major obstacle for the economical growth in the region, which also affects the country as a whole.