An Investigation of Soundscape Factors Influencing Perceptions of Square Dancing in Urban Streets: A Case Study in a County Level City in China.

Jieling Xiao,Andrew Hilton

doi:10.3390/ijerph16050840

Jieling Xiao, Andrew Hilton

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16050840

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Abstract

Square dancing is a popular music-related group physical exercise for health benefits in China mainly participated by mid-aged women and elderly people. This paper investigates the soundscape and enjoyment of the square dancing in urban streets through a case study in Lichuan, a county level city in southwest China, in December 2017. It examines the impact of gender, age, participation and places on perceptions of square dancing soundscape. Two sites along two main urban streets in the city were selected to conduct onsite investigations where residents spontaneously perform square dancing on a daily basis. Ethnographical observations were conducted to identify the social-physical features and sounds of both sites during the dance and without dance. Sound pressure measurements (LAeq and LAmax) were also conducted under the two conditions. An off-site survey was distributed through the local social media groups to understand residents’ everyday experiences and perceptions of square dancing in the city; 106 responses were received for the off-site survey. T-tests and Chi-squared tests were used for statistical analysis of the survey data. The results show gender does appear to be a factor influencing the regularity of participation in square dancing, with a bias towards more female participants. Participation frequency of square dance has an impact on the enjoyment of square dancing. There is no correlation between the dislike of watching square dancing, or dislike of the music and a desire to restrict locations for square dancing.

Highlights

IntroductionSquare dancing (known as grannies’ dance) has gained vast popularity in Chinese cities [1,2]
In the last decade, square dancing has gained vast popularity in Chinese cities [1,2]
This paper aims to answer the questions: (1) What influence does square dancing have on the acoustic environment in urban streets? (2) How do gender, age and participation influence the enjoyment of square dancing? (3) Are urban streets perceived appropriate for square dancing to occur? Mixed methods of onsite acoustic measurements, observations and off-site surveys were used to conduct the study in two sites in a selected case city

Summary

Introduction

Square dancing (known as grannies’ dance) has gained vast popularity in Chinese cities [1,2]. Square dancing is a physical exercise combined with dancing movements in public spaces. There are three elements that make a square dancing scene: dance leader(s), music, a group of dancers in a paved urban space [3]. The dancing forms vary from gymnastic exercises to folk dance and disco. The music used for square dancing is edited with a plain soundtrack of drumbeats in similar rhythms. It is believed that the rise of square dancing originated from the historical folk dance, but more recently, Mao’s promotion of sports to enhance people’s health in China in the 1950s. The majority of people who practice square dance in China are middle-aged women and elderly people (both female and male)

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