Soundscape research in networking across countries: COST Action TD0804.

Abstract

Soundscape, different from noise control engineering, is about relationships between human beings, sound environments, and society. Research in soundscape covers science, engineering, social science, humanity, and art, and it is related to many disciplines including among others acoustics, anthropology, architecture, ecology, landscape, noise control engineering, psychology, sociology, and technology. Soundscape research represents a paradigm shift in the field of environmental noise in that it combines physical, social, and psychological approaches and considers environmental sounds as a “resource” rather than a “waste.” The COST Action has built a vibrant international network and delivers the foundations for soundscape indicators, an integrated database of experimental and field data, publications, and tools to support design and decision making. Therefore, the paper will discuss the underpinning science and practical guidance that supports the measurement tools and their implementation in “Soundscapes.”