Restorative effects of soundscape perception: A case of Yan Zhenqing Park in Shandong Province, China

Abstract

Soundscape is an important part of landscape perception. As an important environmental element of creating the whole space of the city —— Acoustic Environment, it has been paid more and more attention to and studied gradually. With the improvement of urbanization and living conditions in China, people's mental health problems are gradually increasing. However, the studies on the restoration of soundscape consider how the perceived soundscape affects an individual’s mental health were scarce. Yan Zhenqing Park is a product of urbanization and a typical urban park, mental health and sound issues highlighted among residents near parks. The aim of this study was to improve Yan Zhenqing Park environment toward restoration of soundscape. Therefore, Yan Zhenqing Park was selected as the research case through field investigation, listening to a single sound source on the spot and designing a questionnaire. All data were collected by using the method of probability-sampling which involved questionnaires distributed to 370 of respondents. Using quantitative analysis methods to explore the relationship between properties and attributes of urban park stimulating restoration. The results show that there was a significant relationship between frequency, loudness, preference of sound, people prefer natural sounds and artificial sounds can have a negative impact on people's mental health. Research findings provide guidance for environment construction and add value to people’s health and quality of life and well-being.