Interactive soundscape design in enhancing perceived safety in urban spaces at night

Abstract

Based on previous findings relating soundscape to the psychological perception of urban pedestrians at night, this study selected several typical nighttime urban spaces that are prone to trigger crime panic emotions for the experiment, and used an interactive soundscape adjustment method in which respondents independently mixed and adjusted six types of sound levels to obtain the combination of sound environments most conducive to a sense of safety, while completing the pre- and post-optimised sound environment safety The perception research questionnaire was also completed. The results show that the soundscape created by people has a positive effect on the perception of safety. Footsteps and conversations were the most popular sounds in the soundscape mix, and the results inform the development of a friendly sound environment for the city at night, increasing interaction with the urban public space by enhancing the perception of safety of pedestrians at night. Interactive soundscape design is more effective in enhancing safety in parkland than in street spaces and river walkways. Key words: Perceived safety, Interactive adjustment, Soundscape Creation