Integrating Soundscape Criteria in Urban Sustainable Regeneration Processes: An Example of Comfort and Health Improvement

Karmele Herranz-Pascual,Igone Garcia-Pérez,Itziar Aspuru,Ioseba Iraurgi,José Luis Eguiguren,Alvaro Santander

doi:10.3390/su14063143

Karmele Herranz-Pascual, Igone Garcia-Pérez + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063143

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Abstract

This paper reports an example of an urban sustainable regeneration process in a small open square following the soundscape approach in urban design and involving a transdisciplinary team. The renovation of this urban public space brought changes in its acoustic environment and improved soundscape perception as much more pleasant (enhanced comfort). The rehabilitation broadened the use of the square and enhanced users’ wellbeing and health, showing a significant positive impact of sound: reduction in negative emotions and perceived stress while increasing positive feelings. To conclude, the implications of the results about restorative environments in urban sound planning and future areas of research are discussed.

Highlights

The main objective of urban planning and design should be to contribute significantly to improving people’s well-being and health [1–3]
Within the scope of this article, urban open public spaces are defined as “the sum of the areas of the built-up areas of cities devoted to streets and boulevards—including walkways, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes—and the areas devoted to public parks, squares, recreational green areas, public playgrounds and open areas of public facilities” [7]
Some sociodemographic differences were observed between participants before (Npre = 44)

Summary

Introduction

The main objective of urban planning and design should be to contribute significantly to improving people’s well-being and health [1–3]. The design of urban spaces needs to be approached from a holistic and integral perspective. There is a prevailing tendency to consider the urban environment mainly from a negative perspective, because cities are seen as settings which may give rise to psychological ill health and social disruption due to social, economic, environmental and spatial factors [5,6]. Within the scope of this article, urban open public spaces are defined as “the sum of the areas of the built-up areas of cities devoted to streets and boulevards—including walkways, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes—and the areas devoted to public parks, squares, recreational green areas, public playgrounds and open areas of public facilities” [7]. The present study focused on open spaces whose primary function was to provide a leisure area, such as squares, parks or gardens

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