The impact of aircraft noise on residential property values around EROS Airport in Windhoek, Namibia

Abstract

Many countries worldwide developed regulations, policies and put together measures to deal with the impact of aircraft noise on the neighbourhood surrounding airports. However, some measures could not be accepted by the community affected by aircraft noise because are ineffective. Aircraft noise can be viewed as a special, social, economic and environmental issue particularly in developing nations, such as Namibia. Aircraft noise has a negative impact on residential property value close to airports. As such, has social negative effects on normal daily activities such as disturbance of radio and television signals, educational activities, recreational and other family activities. This study focused on the effects of aircraft noise on property values as well as suggested mitigation strategies to minimise the negative effects on residential property values in Academia, Pioneerspark and Olympia, Windhoek, Namibia situated nearby Eros Airport. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the impact of noise emitted from aircraft on residential property in these suburbs in order to determine the effects of aircraft noise on recreational activities and to identify the best possible interventions to minimise the negative impact of the aircraft noise on the residential areas near the airport. Research data was collected utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods. The methods were adopted focusing on residents of three Windhoek suburbs adjacent to the Eros Airport (Academia, Pionierspark and Olympia), real estate agents, officials from the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) and Property Valuation Namibia (PVN). Results showed that, aircraft noise has negative effects on individuals residing close to the airport, which then decrease the value of residential properties around the Eros airport as people try to move to quieter places. Comparing the value of residential properties from the studied suburbs, houses in Olympia had the highest value, followed by Pionierspark and then Academia. Additionally, results revealed that homeowners in Academia sold their residential properties more frequently than in other suburbs and tended to relocate to other suburbs far from the airport, while, such relocation was also associated with the education level of the residents. The perception of the residents closed to the Eros airport were found not to affect the house sale price albeit noise protection was not enlisted as a nuisance the time the residential property was sold, nor a discount was given to the buyers because of noise pollution from the airport. Additionally, the study discovered that aircraft noise did not affect the houses’ structures, but it was a source of annoyance due to disturbance of sleep, rest, and relaxation as well as interfering with sporting activities. However, PVN assessment on average residential property values of the three suburbs (Academia, Pionierspark and Olympia) from 2011 to 2015, revealed a minimal relationship between property values and noise pollution from aircraft activities from the Eros Airport. The company believes that, the value of residential properties is influenced by architectural design, quality of material used and size of the house than environmental issues such as noise pollution attributed to the nearby airport activities. Despite these findings, the study results can play a crucial role in addressing the effect of aircraft noise on residential property value around Eros Airport in Windhoek, Namibia. In addition, the findings are of value to scholars in the field of environmental sciences generally and, particularly those who are interested in noise pollution (i.e. aircraft noise mitigation and adaptation) while, possible interventions to minimise the negative impact were suggested.