Not just noise monitoring: rethinking citizen sensing for risk-related problem-solving

TLDR

Noise pollution is a public‑health risk that the article examines through the lens of citizen sensing. The study investigates whether distrust‑driven citizen sensing can solve noise‑pollution risks, how laypeople employ it, and which perceptions and actions enable its problem‑solving potential. The authors compare noise‑monitoring cases at Amsterdam Schiphol and London Heathrow after a conceptual reflection. Citizen sensing produces solutions by contesting information monopolies with valid data, challenging institutional strategies, fostering mutual understanding, and prompting institutional recognition of the problem, as illustrated by a preliminary performance matrix.

Abstract

Can grassroots-driven citizen sensing initiatives triggered by distrust contribute to risk problem-solving? The article inspects such a potential in the field of risks to public health represented by noise pollution. After a conceptual reflection, the Amsterdam Schiphol and the London Heathrow airports' noise monitoring cases are compared. We inquire: How did lay people use citizen sensing to find solutions to the increase in noise? Which perceptions/actions influence and facilitate the problem-solving potential of citizen sensing? We found that the main citizens' actions leading to solutions are an adequate contesting of information monopoly through the production of valid data, as well as the challenging of institutional strategies to improve risk-related problem-solving. Accordingly, the citizen sensing initiative may generate mutual understanding and stimulate the institutional recognition of the problem and urgency for solving it. The article provides a novel exploration of evidence on performance of actors showing the problem-solving potential of citizen sensing through a preliminary performance matrix.