Forum: Civic mindfulness, rather than enforcement, key to noise-free neighbourhoods
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Noise pollution in residential estates is more than just an environmental nuisance – it reflects the level of civic-mindfulness we uphold as a community. In a city where most of us live in high-rise apartments, the sounds we create often travel beyond our own walls, sometimes with unintended consequences for others.
As someone who lives in a public housing estate, I have had my fair share of sleepless nights due to sudden door banging or dragging sounds coming from above my unit. I reached out to the authorities for assistance, only to be informed that the neighbours denied making the noise. The case was eventually closed, yet the sporadic disturbances continued.
Over time, I realised that sound in vertical living can be deceptive – it bounces off walls, floors and ceilings, making it nearly impossible to pinpoint its origin with certainty.
Instead of solely relying on enforcement, perhaps a more sustainable solution lies in fostering civic mindfulness. Every resident can take a conscious pause before slamming a door, dragging furniture, or playing loud music late into the night.
A moment’s awareness of how our actions may affect others can go a long way in nurturing a considerate and compassionate living environment.
Living harmoniously in close proximity requires more than tolerance; it calls for empathy.
When we live so closely “vertically stacked”, harmony is not just about rules but shared mindfulness. A community that pauses before it disrupts, listens before it acts, and cares before it complains, will naturally find peace in coexistence.
Ho See Ling
