NOISE IN METROPOLITAN AREAS AND URBANIZATION OF NATURAL SOILS--HOUSING PROMOTION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE LATEST REFORM OF THE 2017 GERMAN FEDERAL CODE ON URBANIZATION/RUIDO NAS AREAS METROPOLITANAS E URBANIZACAO DE SOLOS NATURAIS--PROMOCAO DA HABITACAO NA ULTIMA REFORMA DO CODIGO FEDERAL DO URBANISMO DE 2017

A critical analysis of the latest reform of the 2017 German Federal Code on Urbanization, covering the most recent legal instruments introduced with the objective of promoting the planning and construction of affordable housing. Specifically, an analysis is presented of the new types and qualifications of housing sectors within urban areas. In the latest reform of the Code an allowance was made for a higher density of housing construction and a higher index of noise exposure. Moreover, an accelerated procedure was introduced for planning construction of housing in rustic sectors. Many of the new instruments being introduced go against the principles, included in International and Community Laws, of preservation of natural soils, of adequate evaluation of the impacts on the environment, and of public participation during the early planning stages. The conclusion reached in this paper is that it is preferable to promote decentralization of the process, to preserve and promote the quality of life in rural areas where housing is already present, and to promote active intervention in the continued development of housing within already urbanized areas. This is preferable to accepting compromises and plans that degrade the ecological and social quality of existing urban areas.