Impact of landscape attributes on the noise reduction effects of heritage landscapes

Abstract

Heritage landscapes provide a cost-effective solution for mitigating noise and creating adaptable open spaces in urban ecological construction and planning. In this study, we examined 27 distinct landscapes in a city in northern China to assess their effectiveness in reducing traffic-related noise. The acoustic properties of the landscapes, considering various surfaces, slopes, elevations, structures, and topography, were systematically analysed and compared. The findings indicate that vertically rigid descending landscapes exhibit the highest acoustic performance, followed by vertically flexible dense landscapes without slopes. Additionally, the noise reduction effects of horizontal landscapes with rough rigid surfaces surpass those of landscapes covered by low-growing vegetation and landscapes with sparse high-growing vegetation. The insights derived from this study can enhance our understanding of heritage landscapes, provide valuable information for their protection and micro-updates, and support quantitative research in this field.