Abstract
The acoustic environments of small, central urban parks are often dominated by traffic sounds. Water sounds can be used to mitigate the negative impacts of unwanted sounds through masking. Studies comparing the effects of different water sounds are typically conducted using recordings in laboratory settings where ecological validity is limited. An urban redesign project in Montreal took the innovative approach of trying three sequential temporary designs of a new public square, each of which included a distinct water feature that produced a lightly-audible mist. Here we report on a field experiment evaluating the effect of the water feature in each of the three designs. Respondents (n = 274) evaluated their experience with the three different designs using questionnaires including soundscape (SSQP) and restorativeness scales, and perceived loudness. The results indicate a significant interaction effect between the water feature and the design of the space, particularly on ratings of chaotic and loud. While two water feature designs had an overall “positive” effect (i.e., less loud and chaotic) on soundscape assessment, the third water feature design produced the opposite effect. These findings hold even after accounting for ambient temperature. This opportunity to test multiple water features in the same space revealed that water features do not automatically improve soundscape assessments. The visual design, function of the space and environmental conditions should be carefully considered and calls for more field studies. We discuss consequences and considerations for the use of water features in public spaces as well as the implications in terms of ecological validity of soundscape studies.
Highlights
Water features, as a broad category, have wide ranging uses in urban spaces of all sizes as visual landmarks, as gathering spots and as means to escape heat
Addressing this relationship between sound environment and experience, a body of work on urban soundscape, defined by the ISO as the “acoustic environment as perceived or experienced and/or understood by a person or people, in context” (International Standards Organization, 2014) has focused on human perception. This ISO definition provides a potential framework to study the sound environments of pocket parks, wherein context “includes the interrelationships between person and activity and place” (International Standards Organization, 2014)
Soundscape research considers multidisciplinary and mixed methods approaches in characterizing acoustic environments, with an emphasis on human perception, rather than the physical measurements used in traditional noise control approaches (Dubois et al, 2004; Brown, 2010)
Summary
As a broad category, have wide ranging uses in urban spaces of all sizes as visual landmarks, as gathering spots and as means to escape heat They have a range of uses and impacts on the sound environment, including the masking of unwanted sounds, such as traffic noise (Galbrun and Ali, 2013; Ekman et al, 2015). The users’ sonic experience in a space depends on the sound environment, and the listening context (Schulte-Fortkamp et al, 2007) Addressing this relationship between sound environment and experience, a body of work on urban soundscape, defined by the ISO as the “acoustic environment as perceived or experienced and/or understood by a person or people, in context” (International Standards Organization, 2014) has focused on human perception. This translates into a shift from the idea of sound as a pollutant to the potential of using sound as a resource (Schulte-Fortkamp et al, 2007)
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