Influence of green space design on individual noise perception

Abstract

Especially in urban areas, green spaces are important recreational destinations, yet they are often exposed to high levels of traffic noise. Therefore, it should be investigated to what extent the design of green spaces affects the perception of noise within the green spaces. For this purpose, four soundwalks with a total of 34 participants were conducted in the Großer Garten in Dresden, Germany. A range of acoustic and perceptual properties were measured and examined. Furthermore, the green space was characterised with regard to its vegetative design and the visibility of the noise sources, as well as evaluated by the participants with respect to visual impression and appropriateness. The statistical evaluation has shown that the visual impression, the appropriateness and the masking of the noise sources correlate significantly with the perceived loudness and pleasantness - but not with the eventfulness. With regard to vegetation, it was found that the diversity of vegetation correlates significantly with all three parameters of individual noise perception, whereas the quantity of vegetation does not. Thus, it can be said that appealing design, masking of the noise sources and diversity of vegetation reduce individual noise perception and therefore increase the recreational value.