Search Results (70)

Understanding how the built environment shapes residents’ emotional perceptions in old residential communities (ORCs) is essential for enhancing livability and supporting people-oriented urban regeneration. This study proposes an explainable analytical framework that integrates community attributes, streetscape indicators, and subjective evaluations. Using random forest (RF) regression combined with Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP), we conducted an empirical study on ten ORCs in Yangzhou, China. A total of 1240 street view images (SVIs) were processed to extract social attributes, including building age, building scale, and point-of-interest (POI) diversity, as well as visual indicators such as walkability, green view index (GVI), and colorfulness. Six emotional perception scores were obtained from the MIT Place Pulse 2.0 model and further calibrated through questionnaires. The results show that the proposed framework effectively captures the spatial determinants of residents’ perceptions, with the model predictions being highly consistent with survey evaluations. Specifically, GVI and street enclosure are positively associated with perceptions of beauty, safety, and vitality, while building aging and functional monotony intensify negative feelings such as oppression and boredom. Visual diversity (VD) enhances aesthetic and vitality perceptions, whereas facility visual entropy demonstrates a dual role—reinforcing safety but potentially inducing oppressive feelings. By integrating interpretable machine learning with geospatial analysis, this study provides both theoretical and practical insights for micro-scale community renewal, and the framework can be extended to multimodal analyses including soundscapes and behavioral pathways. Full article

Noise exposure in urbanized environments poses a growing challenge to human health and well-being. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify and preserve areas with high acoustic quality to support restorative experiences in urban environments. This study examined the soundscape of the Two Ponds Golf Course in Trzciana, Poland, and evaluated its potential as a setting for acoustic and psychological regeneration. A mixed-method design was adopted, integrating a questionnaire survey of 36 players (n = 36), binaural sound recordings, and landscape analysis. The results indicated that 63% of respondents evaluated the sound environment positively, highlighting the dominance of natural sounds (birds, wind, and amphibians), complemented by golf-related and rural background sounds. Only 13% of respondents perceived the sounds as disruptive. Occasional negative acoustic events, such as aircraft overflights or lawnmower activity, occurred infrequently and had a limited influence on the overall positive perception of the site. These findings suggest that suburban golf courses may function as “soundscape refugia,” providing restorative auditory experiences while supporting biodiversity conservation. Full article

University campus teaching areas are essential spaces for students’ daily learning and recovery, in which soundscapes play a crucial role in shaping restorative experiences. This study aimed to explore the restorative effects of soundscapes in campus teaching areas and the factors influencing these effects. Field surveys, psychological assessments, and physiological experiments were conducted to evaluate restorative perceptions, which were characterized by three dimensions: Attractiveness, Coherence, and Being Away. The findings indicate that both the visual environment and acoustic characteristics significantly shaped restorative outcomes. Natural landscapes, particularly green areas and waterscapes, enhanced the restorative potential of soundscapes, while natural sounds, such as birdsong, fountain sound, and rustling leaves, were perceived as more restorative. In contrast, traffic noise, crowd noise, and class bell sound reduced restorative perceptions. Furthermore, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) played a critical role, with the higher SNR values of birdsong relative to traffic noise being associated with stronger restorative effects. These results suggest that campus soundscape design should prioritize green landscapes, introduce or amplify natural sounds, and optimize the SNR of restorative sounds. Overall, this research provides both theoretical support and practical guidance for designing healthier campus environments that foster students’ recovery and well-being. Full article

In response to the growing urban–rural dichotomy and escalating human–land conflicts in rural China, this study investigates the role of soundscapes as emotional mediators to enhance environmental satisfaction and foster sustainable human–land symbiosis. To address this need, we carried out a series of systematic field surveys at five representative traditional villages in a major provincial capital city in China, and we implemented a comprehensive questionnaire and surveyed 524 residents about their perceptions of sound, land affection, and environment. We employed a mixed-methods approach combining questionnaire surveys, association rule mining (ARM), and structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the ‘sound–land–environment’ interaction chain. ARM analysis identified strong associations among tour guide narratives, local dialects, natural sounds (e.g., rustling leaves, birdsong), and tourist-generated sounds (support = 50%, confidence = 78%, lift = 1.33). SEM results revealed that soundscapes significantly and positively influence land dependence (β = 0.952, p < 0.001) and land rootedness (β = 1.812, p < 0.001), which in turn jointly affect environmental satisfaction (β = –0.192, p = 0.027) through a chain mediation pathway. These findings suggest that optimizing rural soundscapes can strengthen emotional bonds between people and land, thereby enhancing environmental satisfaction and promoting performance of sustainable human–land symbiosis. The study contributes theoretically by elucidating the emotional mechanisms linking soundscapes to human–land relationships and offers insights for incorporating soundscape considerations into village planning and developing policies to cultivate land attachment, supporting the sustainable development of traditional villages. Full article

Ensuring a sustainable and healthy human environment in university dormitories is essential for students’ learning, living, and overall health and well-being. To address this need, we carried out a series of systematic field measurements of the noise levels at 30 dormitories in three representative major urban universities in a major provincial capital city in China and designed and implemented a comprehensive questionnaire and surveyed 1005 students about their perceptions of their acoustic environment. We proposed and applied a sustainability–health-oriented, multidimensional assessment framework to assess the acoustic environment of the dormitories and student responses to natural sound, technological sounds, and human-made sounds. Using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach combined with the field measurements and student surveys, we identified three categories and six factors on student health and well-being for assessing the acoustic environment of university dormitories. The field data indicated that noise levels at most of the measurement points exceeded the recommended or regulatory thresholds. Higher noise impacts were observed in early mornings and evenings, primarily due to traffic noise and indoor activities. Natural sounds (e.g., wind, birdsong, water flow) were highly valued by students for their positive effect on the students’ pleasantness and satisfaction. Conversely, human and technological sounds (traffic noise, construction noise, and indoor noise from student activities) were deemed highly disturbing. Gender differences were evident in the assessment of the acoustic environment, with male students generally reporting higher levels of the pleasantness and preference for natural sounds compared to female students. Educational backgrounds showed no significant influence on sound perceptions. The findings highlight the need for providing actionable guidelines for dormitory ecological design, such as integrating vertical greening in dormitory design, water features, and biodiversity planting to introduce natural soundscapes, in parallel with developing campus activity standards and lifestyle during noise-sensitive periods. The multidimensional assessment framework will drive a sustainable human–ecology–sound symbiosis in university dormitories, and the category and factor scales to be employed and actions to improve the level of student health and well-being, thus, providing a reference for both research and practice for sustainable cities and communities. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic’s rapid shift to working from home has fundamentally challenged residential acoustic design, which traditionally prioritises rest and relaxation rather than sustained concentration. However, a clear gap exists in understanding how acoustic needs and the subjective evaluation of soundscape appropriateness (SA) differ between these conflicting activities within the same domestic space. Addressing this gap, this study reveals critical differences in how people experience and evaluate home soundscapes during work versus relaxation activities in the same residential spaces. Through an online survey of 247 Chinese participants during lockdown, we assessed soundscape perception attributes, the perceived saliencies of various sound types, and soundscape appropriateness (SA) ratings while working and relaxing at home. Our findings demonstrate that working at home creates a more demanding acoustic context: participants perceived indoor soundscapes as significantly less comfortable and less full of content when working compared to relaxing (p < 0.001), with natural sounds becoming less noticeable (−13.3%) and distracting household sounds more prominent (+7.5%). Structural equation modelling revealed distinct influence mechanisms: while comfort significantly mediates SA enhancement in both activities, the effect is stronger during relaxation (R² = 0.18). Critically, outdoor man-made noise, building-service noise, and neighbour sounds all negatively impact SA during work, with neighbour sounds showing the largest detrimental effect (total effect size = −0.17), whereas only neighbour sounds and outdoor man-made noise significantly disrupt relaxation activities. Additionally, natural sounds act as a positive factor during relaxation. These results expose a fundamental mismatch: existing residential acoustic environments, designed primarily for rest, fail to support the cognitive demands of work activities. This study provides evidence-based insights for acoustic design interventions, emphasising the need for activity-specific soundscape considerations in residential spaces. As hybrid work arrangements become the norm post-pandemic, our findings highlight the urgency of reimagining residential acoustic design to accommodate both focused work and restorative relaxation within the same home. Full article

Sound source localization represents one of the major challenges for soundscapes due to the dynamicity of a large variety of signals. Many applications are found related to ecosystems to study the migration process of birds and animals other than other terrestrial environments to survey wildlife. Other applications on sound recording are supported by sensors to detect animal movement. This paper deals with the immersive 3D soundscape by using a multi-channel spherical microphone probe, in combination with a 360° camera. The soundscape has been carried out in three Italian squares across the city of Parma. The acoustic maps obtained from the data processing detect the directivity of dynamic sound sources as typical of an urban environment. The analysis of the objective environmental parameters (like loudness, roughness, sharpness, and prominence) was conducted alongside the investigations on the historical importance of Italian squares as places for social inclusivity. A dedicated listening playback is provided by the AGORA project with a portable listening room characterized by modular unit of soundbars. Full article

While previous studies have explored the use of digital technologies in cultural heritage site reconstruction, limited attention has been given to systems that simultaneously support cultural restoration and psychological healing. This study investigates how multimodal, deep learning–assisted digital technologies can aid displaced populations by enabling both digital reconstruction and trauma relief within virtual environments. A demonstrative virtual reconstruction workflow was developed using the Great Mosque of Aleppo in Damascus as a case study. High-precision three-dimensional models were generated using Neural Radiance Fields, while Stable Diffusion was applied for texture style transfer and localized structural refinement. To enhance immersion, Vector Quantized Variational Autoencoder–based audio reconstruction was used to embed personalized ambient soundscapes into the virtual space. To evaluate the system’s effectiveness, interviews, tests, and surveys were conducted with 20 refugees aged 18–50 years, using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised and the System Usability Scale as assessment tools. The results showed that the proposed approach improved the quality of digital heritage reconstruction and contributed to psychological well-being, offering a novel framework for integrating cultural memory and emotional support in post-disaster contexts. This research provides theoretical and practical insights for future efforts in combining cultural preservation and psychosocial recovery. Full article

Ecoacoustics examines the interactions between soundscapes, ecological processes, and anthropogenic disturbance. Acoustic communication is crucial for wildlife, making noise pollution a key factor in shaping biodiversity, though its effects are also modulated by habitat characteristics. In this work, we assess the influence of highway noise and vegetation structure on the soundscape and avian distribution of the Moriano oxbow lake (Bereguardo, PV, Italy), a Site of Community Importance in the Ticino Valley Regional Park. A two-week monitoring campaign (April 2022) used eight recorders arranged in a grid to analyze soundscape dynamics through eight ecoacoustic indices (ACI, ADI, AEI, BI, NDSI, H, DSC, ZCR). Vegetation surveys quantified tree diversity and structural parameters such as basal area, height, stem density, biomass, and leaf cover. Correlation analyses revealed that Quercus robur abundance and tree diversity significantly influenced the acoustic environment, while bird richness correlated positively with vegetation biomass and Quercus robur presence. Highway proximity was a key structuring factor, with indices (ADI, H, NDSI, ACI) increasing with distance. These findings underscore the dual role of noise and vegetation in shaping soundscapes and highlight the importance of incorporating habitat features into ecoacoustic assessments to better understand biodiversity patterns in anthropized landscapes. Full article

Urban noise pollution significantly degrades people’s health and well-being and, furthermore, traditional noise reduction strategies often overlook individual perception differences. This study proposed to explore the role of eco-acoustic indices in capturing the interplay between biophony, geophony, and anthrophony, and their relationship with classical acoustic metrics and the perceived soundscapes within a University Campus (University of “Mila-no-Bicocca”, Italy). The study area is divided in to eight different sites in “Piazza della Scienza” square. Sound measurements and surveys conducted in June 2023 across four paved sites and adjacent courtyards involved 398 participants (51.7% female, 45.6% male, 2.7% other). The main noise sources included road traffic, technical installations, and human activity, where traffic noise was more prominent at street-level sites (Sites 1–4) and technical installations dominated underground courtyards (6–8). Human activity was most noticeable at Sites 4–8, especially at Site 5, which showed the highest activity levels. A circumplex model revealed that street-level sites were less pleasant and eventful than courtyards. Pairwise comparisons of noise variability showed significant differences among sites, with underground locations offering quieter environments. Eco-acoustic analysis identified two site groups: one linked to noisiness and spectral features, the other to intensity distribution metrics. Technical installations, people, and traffic noises showed distinct correlations with acoustic indices, influencing emotional responses like stimulation and liveliness. These findings emphasize the need to integrate subjective perceptions with objective noise metrics in soundscape descriptions. Full article

Several researchers have tried to find relationships between acoustic indices and vocal animal communities to use acoustic indices as a passive monitoring method, as human-derived surveys are expensive, time-consuming, and suffer from observer bias. However, supplanting manual surveys with acoustic indices is a daunting task, considering effective indices for biological monitoring need to differentiate biologically relevant sounds from the broader soundscape, including anthropophony and geophony. The objective of our study was to test how well acoustic indices can be applied to avian community monitoring within a temperate grassland ecosystem in North America. We collected avian community data and calculated six commonly used acoustic indices from recordings in an intact lowland tallgrass prairie in the Central Platte River Valley of Nebraska throughout the avian breeding seasons of 2019–2021. Singular acoustic indices had only weak correlations with all community metrics. However, multivariate models including multiple acoustic indices showed potential for monitoring grassland bird abundance when anthropophony was considered. Fragmented grassland remnants likely experience significant anthropophony that needs to be accounted for when monitoring avian populations. Additionally, multivariate models incorporating several indices may provide a more accurate prediction of avian biophony than individual acoustic indices. Full article

This study investigates visitor soundscape perceptions in Queulat National Park (QNP), Chile, to inform biodiversity conservation strategies amid rising anthropogenic pressures. By analyzing responses at two sites—Lagoon and Overlook—during peak tourist periods, this research examines how visitor experiences align with protected area management goals. A one-minute listening exercise was followed up by a survey to gather data on perceived sounds and their appeal. The results highlight the importance of involving visitors in monitoring acoustic environments, providing managers with insights into visitor-perceived soundscape dynamics. Unique QNP ecosystem characteristics emerged, with visitors identifying anthrophonic sounds as problematic, especially at the Lagoon site. Perceptions aligned with management concerns about noise impacts from congestion, showing visitors can discern when soundscapes diverge from protected area objectives. These findings underscore the need to integrate visitor engagement into acoustic monitoring to enhance biodiversity conservation. This study advocates ongoing sound level monitoring, protective policies, and tools derived from visitor input. It promotes protected areas as educational venues in order to deepen connections with local environments through sound recognition and calls for signage to inform visitors about noise impacts. Future research should continue to explore these strategies and the potential of visitor soundscape perceptions to reshape conservation strategies and support biodiversity preservation. Full article

Traditional villages in the Hakka region of Guangdong Province have attracted significant attention for their unique cultural heritage and traditional lifestyles. Their favourable audio-visual environments offer immersive and realistic experiences for both residents and visitors. Thus, we selected four representative villages and used semantic segmentation to extract the core visual elements (sky, vegetation, construction, and dynamic) from visual landscape images. Audio-visual interaction experiments and subjective surveys were conducted to investigate the participants’ evaluations of the visual landscape and soundscape to explore the mechanisms of audio-visual interaction. The results revealed that different audio-visual combinations significantly influenced the participants’ visual landscape satisfaction, acoustic comfort, and audio-visual harmony evaluations. Specifically, visual images of natural spaces with a high proportion of sky (24.54%) and vegetation (72.56%), matched with natural sounds (with a sound pressure level of approximately 55 dB) such as birdsong, wind, and flowing water, received excellent ratings for both visual landscape satisfaction and acoustic comfort evaluations. Moreover, the findings further revealed that coordination between visual and audio materials was crucial for enhancing the participants’ perceptions and assessments, highlighting the importance of audio-visual coordination in creating harmonious environments. These findings provide recommendations for spatial planning, landscape design, and soundscape optimisation in traditional villages. Full article

As the primary setting for students’ daily life and learning, university campuses are facing a growing concern about the impact of increased stress on students’ emotional well-being. The sound environment plays a critical role in affecting students’ mental health, learning efficiency, and overall well-being. However, research on the influence of campus soundscapes on students’ emotions is limited, and the mechanisms behind these effects remain to be explored. This study, using the Qishan Campus of Fuzhou University as a case, investigates the impact of campus soundscapes on students’ emotional perception and restorative effects. Four typical functional areas (academic zone (ACZ), residential zone (RDZ), recreational zone (RCZ), and administrative zone (ADZ)) were selected to analyze the effects of natural and artificial sounds on students’ emotions and physiological states. Based on EEG, eye tracking, sound level measurements, and questionnaire surveys, a one-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess students’ emotional arousal, valence, and physiological restoration under different soundscape conditions. The results showed that natural sounds, such as the sound of wind-blown leaves and flowing water, significantly improved students’ emotions and restorative effects, while artificial noises like construction sounds and traffic noise had negative impacts. Additionally, subjective perceptions of soundscape restoration were positively correlated with arousal, valence, and acoustic comfort, and negatively correlated with gaze frequency and pupil size. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing campus soundscape design and highlight the importance of natural sounds in enhancing students’ mental health and academic environment. Full article

The acoustic environment of urban forests is indispensable for urban residents’ nature-based recreation opportunities and experience of green spaces, and the perceptual and physical sound features in time and space serve as determinants during this process. However, their spatiotemporal variation mechanisms and influential landscape characteristics are still underexplored in urban forests. Thus, this study aims to explore the spatiotemporal variability of perceptual and physical sound features and their relationship with landscape characteristics in urban forests. For this purpose, we measured perceptual sound features using the indicators of the sound harmonious degree (SHD) and soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness. The physical acoustic features were determined using sound-level parameters for measuring the sound level intensity (L_Aeq, L₁₀, L₉₀) and fluctuation (L_10–90). Perceptual and physical sound data collection was based on on-site questionnaire surveys and acoustic instrument measurements, respectively. The landscape characteristics were classified using the principal components of four main categories, including the terrain, area proportion of land cover types, distance to land cover types, and landscape patterns. The results showcase that significant spatiotemporal variation was found in most perceptual and physical sound features, whereas soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness did not vary significantly across time. In general, the variabilities of both perceptual and physical sound features were affected more by the types of spatial functions than by diurnal patterns. Human activities that generate sounds (e.g., hawking, playing, and exercise) may be the key drivers for spatiotemporal changes in physical acoustic features. The components of landscape patterns, including landscape structural diversity and shape complexity persistently, affected specific sound features in all periods. However, no landscape component had persistent cross-spatial influences on the sound features. This study offers critical insights into the spatiotemporal patterns of the acoustic environment and its relationship with landscape characteristics in urban forests. The findings underscore the practical importance and implications of integrating acoustic considerations into urban forest management. By providing a scientific foundation, these results can usefully inform dynamic resource management, functional zoning optimization, and sustainable landscape development in urban forests. Full article