Too Loud to Live: Who Owns the City's Quiet?

When Maya moved into her flat on Green Street, she was happy about the low rent.

The flat was close to a busy road, a night market, and two building sites.

At first, she told herself that city noise was normal.

After three weeks, however, she could no longer sleep well, and her head hurt every morning.

One night, she recorded the sound from her window with her phone.

The next day, she showed the recording to a local officer, who listened carefully but said nothing could be done.

"The market brings money to the area," he explained, "and the builders have permits." Maya did not accept this answer.

She started a small group with her neighbours, and together they wrote a report about the health problems caused by constant noise.

They also asked the council to set quiet hours after ten at night.

To their surprise, the council agreed to a public meeting, where residents and business owners could speak.

At the meeting, Maya learned that quiet is not a luxury for rich people; it is a basic right for everyone who lives in the city.