Soundscape Approach Research Articles

Audio management in the development and branding of Krk Island

The paper studies music as an essential element of both the tourism offering and promotion in branding the destination and making it distinctive. Theoretical determinants are based on a multi-disciplinary approach to studying the research subject and build upon the recent literature. To analyse the current state and actively create the future of the audio offering and promotion of Krk Island, applied research was conducted based on a survey of stakeholders and destination managers, a study of the acoustic quality of a music concert and the proposals of the authors based on the scientific literature. An audio management model that incorporates the valorisation of sound and music within a soundscape approach, as well business operations within the framework of a tourism product club as a new collaborative way of doing business, is put forward to facilitate the development of audio products aimed at ensuring a one-of-a-kind tourist experience as well as profit multiplication.

Understanding the indoor soundscape of study areas in terms of users’ satisfaction, coping methods and perceptual dimensions

The soundscape approach is not concerned with the sound level of an acoustic environment, but how it relates to human perception, how it is conceived by the individual and how it should be measured and managed. Even though it reached wide popularity in the last 15 years, it still lacks standardization. Perceptual dimensions of the indoor soundscape have major contributions to the experience of place. Identifying the relations between the sound and build environment can provide valuable information for the decision-makers to promote sensation, satisfaction and positive emotions. This research focuses on the sound environments of 4 open study areas within the Bilkent University Campus. These spaces have been favored by many students due to their ability to combine learning and social identity, in an informal but also an academic environment. This informality also resulted in with the lack of controlled sound environment which can be found in the silent study zone of the library. For this reason, this article examines the soundscape of the open study areas in terms of sound sources, users' reactions, coping methods and perceptual dimensions. Research settings are located at the dormitories, the Fine Arts Building, the library, and the Faculty of Science Building. In order to explore users' response to the sound environment, a questionnaire survey and in-situ measurement of sound levels (LAeq) have been conducted with 120 students. The questionnaire survey consisted of two main parts which were concerned with identifying sound source, satisfaction, loudness and exploring the perceptual dimensions of the indoor soundscape through semantic differential scales. Results showed no difference between participants' satisfaction with the soundscape regardless of the sound levels. Perceptual dimensions of the indoor soundscape are analyzed with factor analysis which extracted three factors, sensation, activity/communication, and functionality.

Citizens as smart, active sensors for a quiet and just city. The case of the “open source soundscapes” approach to identify, assess and plan “everyday quiet areas” in cities

Abstract Today the so-called “smart city” is connoted by massive implementation of novel, digital technology, which is often considered as the best solution to global issues affecting contemporary cities. Sophisticated and low-cost technological solutions are developed also in the field of noise monitoring and they are expected to play an important role for acousticians, city planners and policy makers. However, the “smart city” paradigm is controversial: it relies on advanced technological solutions, yet it fails to consider the city as a social construct and it often overlooks the role of citizens, in the quest for technological advances and novel methods. This is especially true in the field of smart acoustic solutions addressing the issue of urban quiet areas: main methods and technologies developed so far barely involve citizens and consider their preferences. This contribution tackles this challenge, by illustrating a novel mixed methodology, which combines the soundscape approach, the citizen science paradigm and a novel mobile application - the Hush City app - with the ultimate goal of involving people in identifying, assessing and planning urban quiet areas. Firstly, the theoretical background and the methods applied are described; secondly initial findings are discussed; thirdly potential impact and future work are outlined.

Going beyond noise in urban planning—Human perception will be the trusted guide

When it comes to urban planning “people’s perceptions or experiences and/or understanding of an acoustic environment” should be the guiding feature. The use of a variety of data collection methods related to human perception, acoustic environment and context is recommended according to ISO 12913. Following this standard, it is human perception which is paramount determining and stimulating any physical measurement. The international standard ISO 12913 will allow the collection of perceptual data in a harmonized way to get access to the key components in Soundscape: people, acoustic environment, and context. This paper will introduce and discuss techniques of interviews and guidelines, exploration of areas through soundwalks, but also the collaboration platform within a soundscape approach regarding urban planning. It will present strategies for “measurement by persons,” and those applied in “measurement by instruments” to overcome the significant gaps that still exists between the both.

Monitoring Sound Levels and Soundscape Quality in the Living Rooms of Nursing Homes: A Case Study in Flanders (Belgium)

Recently there has been an increasing interest in the acoustic environment and its perceptual counterpart (i.e., the soundscape) of care facilities and their potential to affect the experience of residents with dementia. There is evidence that too loud sounds or poor soundscape quality more generally can affect negatively the quality of life of people with dementia and increase agitation. The AcustiCare project aims to use the soundscape approach to enhance the Quality of Life (QoL) of residents and to reduce Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD), as well as improving the everyday experience of nursing homes for both residents and staff members. In order to gain further insights into the sound environments of such facilities, sound level monitoring and soundscape data collection campaigns were conducted in the living rooms of five nursing homes in Flanders. Results showed that sound levels (dB) and loudness levels (sone) did not vary significantly between days of the week, but they did so between moments of the day and between living rooms. From the perceptual point of view, several soundscape attributes and the perceived prominence of different sound source types varied significantly between the living rooms investigated, and a positive correlation was found between sound levels and the number of persons present in the living rooms. These findings claim for further attention on the potential role of the sound domain in nursing homes, which should promote (and not only permit) better living and working conditions for residents and staff members of nursing homes.

A review of transport noise management plans in large North American and European cities

Noise management plans of large cities are diverse along many factors, such as the responsibilities amd interactions at different levels of governance (national vs. local) and definition of noise (measurement-reliant vs. subject-centered). More specifically, for the regulation of transportation noise, there are various ways these sources are identified (by source type or acoustic signal properties), managed (time of day, zoning, and context), and controlled (police v. specialized departments, complaint systems, treatment of private v. public sources). The regulations, official communications and plans for transport noise are analyzed for 20 major North American and European cities (> 500,000 inhabitants) in order to assess current noise management strategies. Over the past 15 years, an extensive body of academic literature has provided grounds for a soundscape approach to urban noise where “appropriate” sounds can be used to positive effect. Current management plans are also examined for existing applications of this soundscape approach. Results will assist in highlighting trends and will feed into the development of best practices for noise management and regulation in large cities. This review is part of a larger project (Sounds in the City), a collaborative research effort with the City of Montreal, to shape the future of urban noise management.Noise management plans of large cities are diverse along many factors, such as the responsibilities amd interactions at different levels of governance (national vs. local) and definition of noise (measurement-reliant vs. subject-centered). More specifically, for the regulation of transportation noise, there are various ways these sources are identified (by source type or acoustic signal properties), managed (time of day, zoning, and context), and controlled (police v. specialized departments, complaint systems, treatment of private v. public sources). The regulations, official communications and plans for transport noise are analyzed for 20 major North American and European cities (> 500,000 inhabitants) in order to assess current noise management strategies. Over the past 15 years, an extensive body of academic literature has provided grounds for a soundscape approach to urban noise where “appropriate” sounds can be used to positive effect. Current management plans are also examined for existing applicat...

Lessons learning from successful projects in Soundscapes of outdoor spaces

One oft he most successful projects within Soundscapes is the redevelopment oft he Nauener Platz in Berlin. Integrating the Soundscape approach from the beginning of the project enabled a horizontal, long-term dialog with the people in the area. The project that resulted was effectively guided by many participants, resulting in a unique solution for mitigating noise and creating a much-needed “backyard” for the local residents through an improved soundscape. Evaluation followed up confirms the long-term positive effect of the project. The temptation with this level of success is to apply the strategies from Nauener Platz wholesale to other locations and attempt to replicate its achievements. However, this would be a false promise, even at seemingly very similar sites. An instructive example is the Berlin Wall Memorial, which shares many physical attributes to the Nauener Platz. However, its political and historical layers provide a very different set. The paper will discuss the similarities and differences with regard to the ISO.

Beyond the Noise: Open Source Soundscapes. A mixed methodology to analyze and plan small, quiet areas on the local scale, applying the soundscape approach, the citizen science paradigm, and open source technology

Today, cities have become increasingly noisier. In Europe, over 125 million people are affected by noise pollution from traffic every year, and apparently, quietness is becoming a luxury available only for the elites. There is a growing interest in protecting and planning quiet areas, which has been recognized as a valid tool to reduce noise pollution. However, developing a common methodology to define and plan quiet areas in cities is still challenging. The “Beyond the Noise: Open Source Soundscapes” project aims to fill this gap of knowledge by applying the soundscape approach, the citizen science paradigm and open source technology, with the ultimate goal of making quietness as a commons. Accordingly, a new mixed methodology to analyze and plan small, quiet areas on the local scale has been tested through the development of a pilot study in a Berlin neighborhood affected by environmental injustice and noise pollution. In this pilot study, a number of citizens have been involved in crowdsourcing data related to “everyday quiet areas” by using novel mobile technologies. This contribution illustrates the project’s theoretical background, the methods applied, the first findings of the study and its potential impact.

Analysis of Field Data to Describe the Effect of Context (Acoustic and Non-Acoustic Factors) on Urban Soundscapes

The need to improve acoustic environments in our cities has led to increased interest in correcting or minimising noise pollution in urban environments, something that has been associated with the resurgence of the soundscape approach. This line of research highlights the importance of context in the perception of acoustic environments. Despite this, few studies consider together a wide number of variables relating to the context, and analyse the relative importance of each. The purpose of this paper is therefore to identify the acoustic and non-acoustic characteristics of a place (context) that influence an individual’s perception of the sound environment and the relative importance of these factors in soundscape. The aim is to continue advancing in the definition of an acoustic comfort indicator for urban places. The data used here were collected in various soundscape campaigns carried out by Tecnalia in Bilbao (Spain) between 2011 and 2014. These studies involved 534 evaluations of 10 different places. The results indicate that many diverse contextual factors determine soundscape, the most important being the congruence between soundscape and landscape. The limitations of the findings and suggestions for further research are also discussed.

Future directions for soundscape ecology: The importance of ornithological contributions

ABSTRACT Building upon the rich legacies of bioacoustics and animal communication, soundscape ecology represents a new perspective through which ecologists can use the acoustic properties of ecosystems to understand the complex interactions of organisms, geophysical dynamics, and human activities. In this paper, we focus on the potential benefits of a soundscape approach for enhancing ornithological research and of ornithological perspectives for advancing the nascent field of soundscape ecology. We first summarize 4 major grounding principles of soundscape ecology in relation to avian ecology, evolution, and behavior. We then propose 3 research objectives that we envision as future directions for soundscape ecology: development of (1) soundscape metrics and interpretation, (2) understanding of soundscape drivers, and (3) soundscape-based disturbance indicators. Ornithological contributions can help advance the field of soundscape ecology to obtain these research objectives across various spatial, tempora...

Urban Soundscapes: Characterization of a Pedestrian Tourist Route in Sorrento (Italy)

The tourist experience of built environments has received a lot of attention in tourism marketing and management research. Several studies have shown that the environmental qualities of a place can contribute to its aesthetic appreciation and overall expectation of tourists. Such aesthetic qualities, such as cenery and soundscapes, should thus be regarded as key components of tourists’ satisfaction. This study proposes that a soundscape approach could be a suitable tool in tourism management, due to its general purpose of enhancing the users’ experience of a place, taking into account the acoustic dimension of the environment. Within this framework, this paper describes the characterization of the soundscape of a pedestrian tourist route in Sorrento (Italy). For this purpose, a group of acoustics experts, architects, and planners used the soundwalk method to collect recordings and perceptual data about the sound environment along a pre-defined tourist path. The results suggest that the tourists’ perceptual construct is underpinned by both visual and aural elements contributing to soundscape appreciation.

The move toward quiet vehicles—A paradigm shift

The introduction of so-called quiet vehicles is not simply a matter of acoustics. It also presents a major paradigm shift in both the car industry and daily life as a whole. A remaining consideration is how adequate public communication can support the acceptance of quiet vehicles. Soundscape is a construct of human perception, influenced by one’s socio-cultural background as well as the acoustic environment in context. Among many concerns, the meanings of sound, the composition of diverse sound sources, the listener’s attitude, and expectations towards the acoustic environment are particularly important in one’s perception of a soundscape. Previous experiences with internal-combustion engines in vehicles significantly inform people’s different perceptions and assessments of the environment, and likewise are important factors when considering the introduction of quiet cars in society. The discussion in this paper will show how the soundscape approach can be used to involve people in assessing the needs and uses of these “new cars.”

THE EFFECT OF WALKING SOUNDS FROM DIFFERENT WALKED-ON MATERIALS ON THE SOUNDSCAPE OF URBAN PARKS

Urban parks are essential environmental resources in contemporary cities, for the substantial social and psychological relief they provide for local communities. In recent years, the potential of the soundscape approach for enhancing the ecological contribution of such environmental assets has been intensely investigated. Although, researchers tended to focus on the perception of people “staying” in the park, whilst it is important to consider how the sonic environment would be dynamically perceived by users walking across the park. Within this framework, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of different footpath materials on soundscape quality and walking quality perception for people walking in an urban park, considering that the experience of such users is affected by both the background acoustic environment of the park and their walking sound. To this purpose, a laboratory experiment was carried out with 25 participants. Four different walked-on materials that are likely to be used in urban parks were tested: grass, wood, stone and gravel. Results show that the material factor has a significant effect on both auditory and haptic perception. Furthermore, positive correlations can be observed between auditory and haptic variables, confirming that the soundscape appreciation for people walking in urban parks is likely to be affected also by other but aural sensory modalities. The paper ultimately points out that it is possible to re-think the approach to urban parks design and more specifically to the footpaths and the walking sounds that their materials are likely to produce.

Smart Solutions for Recreational Noise Pollution in Turkey

Abstract Environmental noise has become an important issue in urban life quality. Policy makers, local authorities and researchers have been trying to solve this issue in a smart way. In this study, it was examined the recreational noise pollution and management strategies already applied in two cities of Antalya and Konya respectively located in Mediterrnaean and Middle Anatolian Region in Turkey. For Antalya City, the strategic noise map, noise complaint data and noise assessment reports for entertainment places were evaluated. For Konya City, it was assessed the strategic noise map and the environmental noise monitoring system which can be considered as one of the first applicable system in Turkey in terms of noise management. Under the light of the applications in two cities, it is recommended that improving and installing the environmental noise monitoring system as a communicative tool in noise policy applications may be beneficial especially for the recrational noise pollution control in order to achieve effective noise complaint management and to provide dynamic noise maps.Moreover, designing quiet areas as buffering zone by using the soundscape approach may also be an innovative way in mitigating the noise annoyance due to recreational noise pollution in residential areas.

A soundscape approach to analyze traffic noise in the city of Taipei, Taiwan

Traffic noise has been a serious issue in urbanized areas and caused annoyance and health problems. It is thus essential to monitor and reduce traffic noise Traditional approaches focus on the measurement of amplitude or frequency of noise. Nonetheless, these measurements hardly help researchers distinguish unique features of dominant noise at different types of land use. This study adopts the theoretical framework of urban soundscape to examine noise patterns. Amplitude, frequency and time, are three key parameters for the analysis of soundscape. Sound recordings are made at four urban sites (downtown, one commercial, and two residential areas) in the City of Taipei, Taiwan, during three time periods (8am, 3pm, and 8:30pm). Sound data is processed by seewave and XLSTAT software for the representation of spatiotemporal patterns of urban soundscape. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) approach is introduced to analyze the dominant sources of noise under various types of land use. The analytical results intuitively explain how various types of vehicles play vital roles under different types of land use. For instance, cars or taxis are the dominant sources of noise in residential and commercial areas in the afternoon and evening. The results also specify the dominance of public transport such as buses in the downtown areas during daytime. In summary, the adoption of the descriptive soundscape pattern and computer-based statistical analysis in this study helps researchers not only understand the relation between traffic noise and urban landscape but also develop a conceptual framework to reduce impacts of noise and improve the quality of life in cities.

Effects caused by sounds at low frequencies

A central tenet of the Soundscape concept is that humans immersed in sonic environments are as “new experts” reliable communicators, whose reports and descriptions of sound and its effects must be taken seriously. As a first step, different experiments focusing on wind turbines coupled with detailed questionnaires were carried out to study the link between specific characteristics of wind turbine noises and annoyance reactions. It seems as if this will enable to determine the benefit of the Soundscape approach for investigated low frequency noise phenomena. The challenge of validating and resolving widespread and growing reports of health, physiological and behavioral effects apparently from new environmental infrasound can be met through coupling soundscape with parallel scientific techniques not limited to acoustic measurements. The soundscape concept has an incipient role to connect and approach the resolution of this complex issue. Such an augmented soundscape approach centering on the sensitivity of ...

QUIETE: a scheme for a new index of the environmental quality of green areas

Abstract Notwithstanding the green areas are important for preserving and promoting the health of population, they are often exposed to noise pollution, especially in urban areas. However, the perceived quality of a green area does not depend only by its sonic environment, as all the human senses contribute to form the individual appraisal together with other features of the area. Thus, an holistic approach is required as that offered by the soundscape approach. The present paper proposes the scheme of a new index, QUIETE, to quantify the quality of a public park, taking into account its perceived overall quality and the relative sound level determined by the difference between the noise descriptor LA (i.e. LAeq, LA50, . . .) and a reference level Lref . By the QUIETE index it is easy to identify the areas requiring noise mitigation actions, and provide understandable information to the users of the park on the areas for their enjoyable fruition. The formulation of the QUIETE index is rather flexible and the reference level Lref has to be fixed considering the objective to accomplish. To evaluate the feasibility and potential of QUIETE, it has been applied to the data collected in 8 urban parks in Milan and Rome with different location (from downtown to suburban area) and size. The Lref value has been set at the noise limit issued by current Italian legislation for green areas (LAeq = 50 dBA for day-time). A “tentative” rating scale for QUIETE is also proposed and its values are reported by a colored scale on the map of the park to summarize the data and to pr

When soundscape meets architecture

Abstract The harmonization of noise indicators, noise mapping, and action plans delivers basic administrative information not only for noise abatement in highly noisepolluted areas, but also for comparisons across built environments regionally and internationally. However, such activities do not provide any tools or essential knowledge for the more demanding tasks required in designing and planning sustainable built environments that are supportive to wellbeing and health. Without knowing the determining factors behind dose-response curves [1, 2], the decision process for developing action plans is unnecessarily restricted. Optional courses of action for handling a noise problem cannot be sufficiently considered without understanding the full context—physical, cultural, emotional— of noise’s effect on people. Therefore, an approach for considering these many angles must involve diverse fields of practice and interdisciplinary approaches. One such methodology is the multidimensional Soundscape Approach, which emphasizes how the acoustic environment is perceived, experienced, and/or understood by a person or people in context. Relying on principles of the Soundscape Approach, two urban green spaces will be examined regarding noise abatement strategies in relation to visitors’ experiential expectations. It will be shown how and why soundscape is an invaluable tool in detecting and analyzing needs for an adequate acoustic environment, accounting for people’s concerns and integrating their local expertise to guide the process of planning, designing and maintaining sites.

A soundscape approach to exploring design strategies for acoustic comfort in modern public libraries: a case study of the Library of Birmingham

Abstract Taking the soundscape approach to a study of the Library of Birmingham, this paper explored acoustic comfort in modern public libraries and measured the quality of the perceived sound environment, focusing on the appropriateness of the spatial organisation to facilitate users’ activities of reading and writing. The research involved four groups of participants taking soundwalks which provided data at four main floors in the Library, identifying types of sounds, measuring sound pressure levels and evaluating the overall quality and appropriateness of perceived sound environment. A human sound dominated sound environment was found in the studied case. The overall soundscape quality varied among different levels and different functional spaces. However, the results showed that the overall soundscape quality of each floor varied and was not necessarily determined by the overall appropriateness and sound pressure level. The participants in the study were found influenced by their soundscape cognitions of spaces through visual and acoustic perceptions, as well as by their purposes of using the space. From these results, the layout of spaces is suggested as a determining factor of acoustic comfort, and design strategies were discussed to achieve acoustic comfort in modern public libraries.

Soundscape approach to evaluate outdoor acoustic spaces in nature

This study aims to evaluate the acoustical quality of outdoor acoustic spaces in nature based on soundscape approach. Acoustic taxonomy of sonic events, acoustic itineraries and acoustic calendars were studied at a national park. Long time noise level measurements were performed. In addition, acoustical quality of outdoor acoustic spaces was investigated by impulse response measurements and auralization techniques. A questionnaire was administered to qualitatively evaluate acoustical quality of the acoustic spaces. The results reveal the importance of acoustical evaluation of acoustic spaces in nature. The acoustical quality of sonic events is determined by that of the acoustical spaces that are characterized by natural elements. The sound reflections off the natural surfaces of the acoustic spaces are characterized by the impulse response technique. Subjects with critical listening experience have significantly different perception of sounds in terms of Loudness, Reverberance, Echoes, Naturalness and Musical Quality among different outdoor acoustical spaces.