Acoustic Environmental Analysis of Public Open Spaces and Its Impact on Users

Abstract

Public open spaces are considered a frame of the city's life stream. Usually, park, playfield, courtyard, and city square are considered urban open spaces where people come to relax, comfort, walk, gossip, play, recreation, physical exercise, etc. Urban parks play a critical part in protecting and advancing the well-being of citizens who are frequently exposed to noise pollution and the stress of daily life. As a result, improved acoustic quality is a critical aspect of the overall comfort of urban open space. Soundscape quality analysis is progressively taking into account both the physical and aesthetic elements of a space. It is important to identify and classify the sound sources which negatively or positively affect the acoustic environment. This paper aims to analyse and understand the overall acoustic situation of urban open space. Ramna Park, Dhaka has been selected for this analysis. The study has considered the users' apparent acoustic comfort and characteristics of this park in a different zone. Determining the sound level in a different area of the park at different times considering pick and off-pick hours through the field survey. A questionnaire survey also has been performed to understand the visitor's impression of the acoustic condition. Some zone has found to be preferred by users due to the natural sound and absence of city noise. Traffic sounds came in the park with the highest level which was considered noise. As a result of a general survey and investigation, certain recommendations have been made to reduce the disagreeable sound. The study's findings are intended to improve awareness of the function of the soundscape in the establishment of urban natural quality among architects and planners, as well as assist them in soundscape arranging and planning.