Arline L. Bronzaft, PhD, is recognized with this APA Citizen Psychologist Presidential Citation as an exemplar of passion, coalition building and leadership for her sustained community activities in New York City.
Bronzaft has served as an advisor to five New York City mayors as the chairperson of the Noise Committee of GrowNYC.orgopens in new window. As an environmental psychologist, Bronzaft's classic research on the effects of subway noise on children's learning in the 1970's led to her lifelong commitment to combine her scientific expertise and passion for urban and social issues by demonstrating the adverse effects of noise on mental and physical health. In 2007, Bronzaft helped the Department of Environmental Protection of New York City to update the noise code in order to bring the decibel level down in the city. This noise code has become a model for other cities. She has also assisted in the implementation of a noise education curriculum in the NYC public school system.
Bronzaft is also a co-founding member of The Quiet Coalition, which has addressed the impacts of noise on health, environment, learning, productivity and quality of life in America, particularly its impact on kids in schools, for four decades. This public health focus has demonstrated an evidence-based approach to noise as a health and social problem, combined with educational outreach and organized action, which can lead to meaningful change. Bronzaft is the author of "Listen to the Raindropsopens in new window", a book to teach children about the dangers of noise.
In her spare time, Bronzaft helped NYC develop a readable Subway Map which has also become a model for other cities, including the Moscow Metro.