Kan vi bygga bostäder i Bullerbyn? - En studie av hur regelverket kring buller påverkar bostadsbyggnation

Sammanfattning: A great shortage of housing is currently apparent in Sweden's major cities. To meet this need for housing, densification strategies are implemented. However, laws and regulations have complicated and prevented many planned densification projects, making the issue with housing shortage more difficult to address. One of the regulations that preclude densification of housing is the regulatory system concerning environmental noise. The purpose of this study is to increase knowledge about how the regulatory system regarding environmental noise, after recent changes, affect densification of housing. To fulfil the purpose, cost drivers of real estate developers have been identified and the effects of recent changes in the regulatory system have been studied. Possible future developments of the regulatory framework regarding environmental noise have also been discussed. To examine both real and perceived issues with the regulatory system a qualitative study of three densification projects has been pursued. In order to obtain a more general view of the issue, the study has been complemented with nine interviews of parties involved in the building process. This study shows that the Swedish regulatory system regarding environmental noise has an economic impact on real estate developers in individual projects, which can affect the construction of dwellings in urban areas negatively. The studied projects and conducted interviews show that adjustments in the construction plan due to demands in the detailed development plan and additional balconies as noise protection have the strongest cost-push impact on property developers. Recent regulatory changes have had both positive and negative effects on housing construction. The introduction of the Ordinance (2015: 216) on Traffic Noise Levels in Housing Construction has facilitated the construction of small apartments facing only one side of the building. Ambiguities and differences can be noted on its application, which among other things can lead to delays in the construction process. In the long term, the ordinance should, however, lead to greater consistency in the municipalities’ and counties' assessment criteria, increasing transparency for developers and promoting residential development. Implemented changes in legislation have increased coordination between the Planning and Building Act and the Environmental Code and strengthened the legal certainty for operators. This can result in shorter planning processes and have a positive impact on housing construction. There is, however, still room for further adjustments of the framework regarding environmental noise. These adjustments could include exceptions for temporary building permits as well as exceptions for apartments larger than 35 square meters. Furthermore, it is of great importance that guidance from central authorities is provided quickly after regulatory changes to avoid regional deviations.