The influence of vegetation and shape-related features in making parks more noise resistant

The aim of this paper is to assess the effect of vegetation-related parameters and shape-related features on noise levels in park areas. For the current research, eight case study parks of various sizes were identified in Antwerp and noise levels were measured inside and around them. The measurements were conducted during multiple days using portable custom-made sound recording devices. The analysis was performed by correlating the input with the output parameters. Input data include green space and shape metrics, while output parameters consist of various noise indices (L10, L50, L90, LAeq, LCeq-LAeq) averaged for the entire parks. In a more focused scale the same analysis was attempted referring to measurement points inside the parks.Correlations in this case were identified only between green space features and L90. The entire analysis denotes that green space features can be an important factor in noise reduction within the parks,independently of the effects from the surrounding environment

The contribution of soundscape in urban design, current practices and challenges on a European level

Over the last ten years, the term “soundscape” is continuously gaining ground in the international research scene. Consequently, there is a coordinated effort to bridge the gap among the fields of urban design, architecture, acoustics and psychology. Through this holistic and interdisciplinary approach, soundscape design proclaims two main principles: a) sound is perceived as something beneficial and not as a waste in the urban environments, b) the design aim is not to achieve “quiet” environments, but “appropriate” ones, through the balance of the sound sources. Within this framework, the current research aims start with the historical background and the evolution of soundscape. Then, it investigates two case studies in different European cities. Eachone refers to different applied soundscape techniques for the improvement of the acoustic environment and solutions based on participatory planning. In the second one, an attempt is made to understand the relationship between the sound sources and a group of urban activities couples with land use attributes. The current research constitutes a distil of the European SONORUS Urban Sound Planning programme (2013-16) with an utmost aim to investigate the current scientific practices and challenges in the field of soundscape based on the viewpoints of young Europeanresearchers

Combining mobile measurements on noise and soundscape evaluation in a University Campus after a renovation plan

This paper contributes on the popular topic of smartphone-based noise mapping and in general participatory sensing. It has a dual aim as on one hand it provides a methodological framework on the spatio-temporal variability of noise and soundscape and in parallel it investigates the role of green space and water features on soundscape preference with respect to certain activities. The study was organised in Zernike University Campus in Groningen, Netherlands around 13 predefined locations, equipped with seating facilities. A big part of the study area was recently redesigned as part of the Zernike promenade. Students, enrolled in the course of Environment and Engineering, used the ArcGIS 123 Survey and the NoiseCapture mobile applications for soundscape and noise data collection respectively. Statistical analysis and GIS tools were used to investigate the noise and soundscape variability in different time periods from morning to evening. Additionally, the effect of green space and water features on soundscape quality and users{preference is identified exploring the links with activities related to socializing and relaxing. The contribution of the above-mentioned technologies in participatory planning and urban design interventions is discussed parallel to the educational benefit of these tools in the achievement of the course learning objectives

Combining mobile measurements on noise and soundscape evaluation in a University Campus after a renovation plan

This paper contributes on the popular topic of smartphone-based noise mapping and in general participatory sensing. It has a dual aim as on one hand it provides a methodological framework on the spatio-temporal variability of noise and soundscape and in parallel it investigates the role of green space and water features on soundscape preference with respect to certain activities. The study was organised in Zernike University Campus in Groningen, Netherlands around 13 predefined locations, equipped with seating facilities. A big part of the study area was recently redesigned as part of the Zernike promenade. Students, enrolled in the course of Environment and Engineering, used the ArcGIS 123 Survey and the NoiseCapture mobile applications for soundscape and noise data collection respectively. Statistical analysis and GIS tools were used to investigate the noise and soundscape variability in different time periods from morning to evening. Additionally, the effect of green space and water features on soundscape quality and users’ preference is identified exploring the links with activities related to socializing and relaxing. The contribution of the above-mentioned technologies in participatory planning and urban design interventions is discussed parallel to the educational benefit of these tools in the achievement of the course learning objectives

The influence of vegetation and surrounding traffic noise parameters on the sound environment of urban parks

The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vegetation and traffic-noise parameters on the sound environment of urban parks. Eight parks of different sizes and varying proximity to the city's ring road were selected in Antwerp, Belgium. The sound environment was evaluated with a dual approach, using primarily simulated traffic data from the surrounding roads and then measurement noise data from mobile devices within the parks. Percentile weighted sound levels were calculated considering various indicators (LA(10), LA(50), LA(90), L-Aeq) with special emphasis on background noise (LA(90)) and peak values (LA(10)). Results showed that simulated noise levels were slightly overestimated compared to the actual ones. Within the parks very small differences were found no matter whether measurement points were examined individually or aggregated on grids. Overall, background noise (L-A90) presented more fluctuations than LAID. At the same time, the average noise levels both for L-A90 and L-A10 were higher in the surrounding environment of the parks compared to the inside - most probably because of traffic sound sources and the proximity to main roads. Additional analysis was also performed within the parks for the identification of "hot" and "cold" spots for L-A90 using GIS tools. Relationships between noise levels and morphological features of the surrounding environment were also identified. The final step of analysis dealt with the effects of tree or grass areas in noise indices. The effect of additional sources other than traffic is also explained as part of the limitations and the actual findings of this research