Hush-Cities Celebrate 20 Years of Fighting Noise Pollution to Make Citizens Happier

260 cities across the globe will soon be celebrating 20 years of “slowing down” and fighting to reduce urban noise for the sake of happier – and healthier – residents.

The cities are part of the global network Cittaslow, which began in Italy in 1999 and uses a grading system to promote sustainable infrastructure as well as other strategies that contribute towards curbing noise pollution.

To reduce the health risks of noise pollution, cities worldwide are seeking literal and imaginative ways to slow down the urban hustle and bustle, such as lowering speed limits, running monthly car-free zones, introducing more bike lanes and promoting mindfulness. There’s even a Hush City phone app for walkers to record audio, take photos and rate quiet spots for others to find.

“We are going through a phase to become a better city in the future,” says Mayor Seung-su Kim of South Korea’s Jeonju, one of many cities working on quieting their nosy neighborhoods.