Going beyond Quietness: Determining the Emotionally Restorative Effect of Acoustic Environments in Urban Open Public Spaces

The capacity of natural settings to promote psychological restoration has attracted increasing research attention, especially with regards to the visual dimension. However, there is a need to extend these studies to urban settings, such as squares, parks or gardens, due to the global trend towards urbanisation, and to integrate the dimension of sound into landscape. Such was the main aim of this study, in which 53 participants assessed four public spaces in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain) as part of the CITI-SENSE Project (137 observations were used for analysis). A smartphone application was used to simultaneously collect objective and subjective data. The results show that at the end of the urban environmental experience, there was a statistically significant reduction in negative emotions and perceived stress, and a slight increase in positive emotions. Emotional restoration was mainly associated with prior emotional states, but also with global environmental comfort and acoustic comfort. The soundscape characteristics that contributed to greater emotional restoration and a reduction in perceived stress were pleasantness, calm, fun and naturalness. Therefore, in agreement with previous research, the findings of the present study indicate that besides contributing to the quietness of the urban environment, the urban soundscape can promote psychological restoration in users of these spaces.This research formed part of the CITI-SENSE project funded under the European Union Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration, grant agreement no 308524

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.The research presented in this manuscript has been developed with the financial support of the Basque Government, the Bilbao City council, and within the framework of the LIFE QUADMAP project (LIFE 10/ENV/IT/407

Moving towards for Active Role for Smart Grid Users: Study about the perception of smart grids among domestic consumers in Spain (UPGRID project) / Avanzando hacia el rol activo de los usuarios de las smart grids: estudio sobre la percepción de las redes eléctricas inteligentes entre los consumidores domésticos en España (proyecto UPGRID)

Integrating the perspective of smart grid users is the next challenge to be tackled in order to deploy fully the broad technical development of this new generation of electrical grids and improve the efficacy thereof. This is the conclusion reached by the social research developed within the framework of the European UPGRID project. This paper presents the main findings of the Spanish demonstration, working with domestic electricity consumers. The results indicate that these consumers know little about their contract and consumption of electricity, with regard to smart grids. In spite of this, there is some evidence that there is willingness among these consumers to make a change in their energy use towards more environmentally responsible behaviours, a tendency that needs to be developed so that consumers play an active role, which is essential in order to deliver optimal energy supply through smart grids. However, the results must be taken with a degree of caution, since, in spite of the major drive for recruitment, the sample was small and the experimental mortality between phases was high, so the research presented is exploratory in nature.We would like to thank the European Union for the funding it granted the UPGRID project ‘Real proven solutions to enable active demand and distributed generation flexible integration, through a fully controllable LOW Voltage and medium voltage distribution grid’ (H2020 Research and Innovation Programme, subsidy agreement number 646.531), the framework research project for this paper. We would also like to thank the different people and associations who collaborated with and participated in the social research conducted, without whom its development would not have been possible, and especially Iberdrola Distribución and EVE for providing us with the information required to conduct this research, and the Bilbao Federation of Neighbourhood Associations for their support and participation

Integrating Soundscape Criteria in Urban Sustainable Regeneration Processes: An Example of Comfort and Health Improvement

This paper reports an example of an urban sustainable regeneration process in a small open square following the soundscape approach in urban design and involving a transdisciplinary team. The renovation of this urban public space brought changes in its acoustic environment and improved soundscape perception as much more pleasant (enhanced comfort). The rehabilitation broadened the use of the square and enhanced users’ wellbeing and health, showing a significant positive impact of sound: reduction in negative emotions and perceived stress while increasing positive feelings. To conclude, the implications of the results about restorative environments in urban sound planning and future areas of research are discussed.This research received no external funding

Setting the Social Monitoring Framework for Nature-Based Solutions Impact: Methodological Approach and Pre-Greening Measurements in the Case Study from CLEVER Cities Milan

: Nature-based solutions (NBS) are currently being deployed in many European Commission Horizon 2020 projects in reaction to the increasing number of environmental threats, such as climate change, unsustainable urbanization, degradation and loss of natural capital and ecosystem services. In this research, we consider the application of NBS as a catalyst for social inclusivity in urban regeneration strategies, enabled through civic participation in the co-creation of green interventions with respect to social cohesion and wellbeing. This article is focused on a social monitoring framework elaborated within the H2020 CLEVER Cities project, with the city of Milan as a case study. Firstly, we overviewed the major regeneration challenges and expected co-benefits of the project, which are mainly human health and wellbeing, social cohesion and environmental justice, as well as citizen perception about safety and security related to the NBS implementation process. Secondly, we examined the relevance of using NBS in addressing social co-benefits by analyzing data from questionnaires against a set of five major indicators, submitted to citizens and participants of activities during pre-greening interventions: (1) Place, use of space and relationship with nature, (2) Perceived ownership and sense of belonging, (3) Psychosocial issues, social interactions and social cohesion, (4) Citizen perception about safety and security, and lastly, we analyzed (5) knowledge about CLEVER interventions and NBS benefits in relation to socio-demographics of the questionnaires’ respondents. Thirdly, we cross-referenced a wind-rose multi-model of co-benefits analysis for NBS across the regeneration challenges of the project. Because of the COVID-19 emergency, in this research we mainly focused on site observations and online questionnaires, as well as on monitoring pre-greening scenarios in three Urban Living Labs (ULLs) in Milan, namely CLEVER Action Labs. Lastly, this study emphasizes the expected social added values of NBS impact over long-term urban regeneration projects. Insights from the pre-greening surveys results accentuate the importance of the NBS interventions in citizens’ perceptions about their wellbeing, general health and strong sense of neighborhood belonging. A wider interest towards civic participation in co-management and getting informed about NBS interventions in the Milanese context is also noted.This document has been prepared in the framework of the European project CLEVER Cities. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 innovation action program under grant agreement no. 776604. The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EASME nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein

Integrating Soundscape Criteria in Urban Sustainable Regeneration Processes: An Example of Comfort and Health Improvement

This paper reports an example of an urban sustainable regeneration process in a small open square following the soundscape approach in urban design and involving a transdisciplinary team. The renovation of this urban public space brought changes in its acoustic environment and improved soundscape perception as much more pleasant (enhanced comfort). The rehabilitation broadened the use of the square and enhanced users’ wellbeing and health, showing a significant positive impact of sound: reduction in negative emotions and perceived stress while increasing positive feelings. To conclude, the implications of the results about restorative environments in urban sound planning and future areas of research are discussed

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

Modelo de impacto del ruido ambiental

7 pp.-- PACS nr.: 43.50.Qp.-- Comunicación presentada en los siguientes congresos: II Congreso Iberoamericano de Acústica. XXXI Congreso Nacional de Acústica – TecniAcústica 2000. II Jornadas Iberoamericanas de Ultrasonidos. II Congreso Ibérico de Acústica. EAA Symposium on Architectural Acoustics (Madrid, 16-20 Octubre 2000).Publicado también en número especial de la Revista de Acústica, Vol. XXXI, año 2000.[EN] The model proposal in this paper is the result of an exhaustive analysis of previous theoretical bases which refer to the impact of environmental noise on the population. This model corresponds to a feedback system which integrates the two perspectives or ways of approaching research in environmental psychology. That is, both the impact of acoustic contamination on people is considered, as well as the incidence of actions carried out by people to avoid or reduce this impact.[ES] La propuesta de modelo que se presenta es el resultado de un análisis exhaustivo de las bases teóricas y antecedentes referidas al impacto que el ruido ambiental origina sobre la población. Este modelo corresponde a un sistema retroalimentado que integra las dos perspectivas o formas de abordar las investigaciones en psicología ambiental. Es decir, se considera tanto el impacto de la contaminación acústica sobre las personas como la incidencia de las acciones que llevan éstas a cabo para evitar o reducir dicho impacto, que en muchos casos van acompañadas de cambios y modificaciones del medio.Peer reviewe

El estudio de los aspectos perceptivos en la acústica ambiental

PACS 43.50 Qp.-- Publicado en el Vol. XXXI, núm. 3-4, tercer y cuarto trimestre 2000 de la Revista de Acústica: Número especial dedicado al XXV Aniversario del Instituto de Acústica del C.S.I.C.[ES] El laboratorio de Psicoacústica del Instituto de Acústica centra su interés en el estudio de los aspectos subjetivos implicados en la percepción y valoración del ambiente de ruido. En este artículo se recogen las líneas de investigación desarrolladas en dicho laboratorio así como las principales aportaciones a dichas líneas de investigación.[EN] The Psycho-Acoustic Laboratory of the Institute of Acoustics focuses its interest on the study of the perception and assessment of the noise environment. This article explains the investigation outlines developed in the above-mentioned Laboratory, together with the principal contributions to these investigation outlines.Peer reviewe

A comparison of thermal comfort conditions in four urban spaces by means of measurements and modelling techniques

Microclimatic conditions inside urban areas depend on the result of the interaction of the regional climate with the whole urban area and on the local characteristics of the urban development. Inadequate human thermal comfort conditions can affect quality of life and the use of public open spaces. In this study, outdoor thermal conditions are examined through three field campaigns in Bilbao in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. Climate variables are measured in four different areas of the city in different regional climate conditions. Thermal comfort evaluation is undertaken by means of the thermal index PET (Physiological Equivalent Temperature). Measurements are compared with estimated values derived from ENVI-met model. Results show that the differences between modelled and measured climatic variables can imply a relevant deviation in PET (i.e. difference between modelled and measured values). Regression and correlation analyses account for the importance of the deviation of each climatic variable in the deviation of PET values. Deviation of PET appears to be highly conditioned by the deviation of mean radiant temperature values especially during clear sky days. Under overcast conditions deviation of wind speed also becomes a relevant aspect. Consequently, reliable estimation of these variables is required if modelling techniques are to be used in the assessment of thermal comfort in outdoor urban spaces.Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Plan under the Project K-Egokitzen European Community's Seventh Framework Programme under, Project RAMSES - Reconciling Adaptation, Mitigation and Sustainable Development for Citie