Noise Management: Soundscape Approach

Reducing noise levels, the main focus of environmental noise regulations, policies and management worldwide, is not always feasible and cost-effective and will not necessarily lead to improved quality of life. Soundscape approach, different from noise control engineering, is the acoustic environment as perceived or experienced and/or understood by a person or people, in context, as defined by ISO. It represents a timely paradigm shift in that it considers environmental sounds as a “resource” rather than a “waste.” This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing and widely scattered knowledge base in this emerging field. It first briefly reviews the development of soundscape research and practice as well as the spectrum of soundscape approaches. It then discusses soundscapes from four essential facets. (1) Soundscape evaluation, in terms of acoustic, psychological, and social characteristics of various sounds; social, demographic, behavioral, and psychological characteristics of users; acoustic effects of space boundaries/elements; and interactions between acoustic and general physical/environmental conditions. (2) Soundscape description, where sound sources, space, people, and the overall environment are considered. (3) Soundscape creation and design, considering selection and planning of sound sources and design of sound paths. (4) Soundscape prediction, including soundscape indicators, prediction tools, soundscape mapping, and auralization.

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