Research on the psychoacoustic requirements of urban recreational spaces

Introduction

The European Environmental Noise Directive calls for the identification and protection of places with good ambient sound quality, introducing the concept of “quiet areas.” This strategic goal of preserving quiet areas in urban contexts complements the generally required reduction of noise exposure and noise annoyance. Urban areas with good ambient sound quality generally have high recreational value, enable localized compensation for noise annoyance, and are considered potentially health-promoting. Therefore, it is of great importance to understand in detail the relationship between acoustic conditions and psychological recovery in order to deliberately develop auditorily restorative places in cities and effectively protect them from disturbances that reduce the restorative potential of these areas.

Scope of Application

Although the Environmental Noise Directive has been in force in Europe for over 20 years, there is still a lack of empirical findings about the mechanisms of auditory restoration. This lack of knowledge limits the targeted promotion and expansion of quiet areas in urban agglomerations. To date, there is little knowledge about how quiet places should be acoustically designed to promote well-being and recovery on one hand, and reduce noise annoyance and physiological stress on the other. Since most auditory recovery places are not simply characterized by the absence of annoyance, the question remains as to what psychoacoustic requirements for urban quiet places should look like. The requirements for acoustic conditions for quiet areas can only be researched in context and with the help of appropriate methods, as urban places are perceived and evaluated multimodally in-situ.

Task Definition

The research examines, using appropriate methods, the effects of sounds on users in urban areas that are intended to promote recreation. The research determines psychoacoustic properties of environments and their role in stimulating feelings and emotions that support or inhibit restoration. For this purpose, suitable areas are selected and field measurements are conducted to determine the connection between soundscape and (auditory) recovery in context. The methods, study areas, and research hypotheses to be examined are defined in a research plan. The research plan is described transparently and comprehensibly, and the project costs are included.

General Requirements

• The research plan illustrates the steps for investigating the requirements for auditory recovery and includes a brief description of potential research topics.
• The planned investigation includes field measurements and on-site surveys.
• Advantages and disadvantages of conventional criteria for quiet areas (e.g., L_DEN, AL, land use type) as well as the value and limitations of psychoacoustic parameters are examined and discussed
• Recommendations for guidelines for a perception-related selection of quiet areas are developed, and requirements for the targeted protection of quiet, restorative urban areas are developed

Offer from the HEAD-Genuit Foundation

• Financial support for doctoral students comparable to that provided for doctoral projects
• Access to psychoacoustic analysis software, if required
• Independent research on an important topic in the field of quality of life, well-being, health, and sustainable urban development