Acoustic vitality evaluation in urban public spaces:(Case study: Darvazeh Isfahan, Shiraz, Iran)

Abstract

Aims: This study establishes a contextual qualitative and quantitative evaluation of acoustic vitality in a public urban space (Darvazeh Isfahan) in Shiraz.Methods: In quantitative part, by using acoustic simulation software (Ease4.3), measurable characteristics of sound including Sound Pressure Level (SPL), Sound Clarity (C), and Sound Transmission Index (STI) were examined. In the qualitative part, by conducting a sound-walk questionnaire, 30 space-users were interviewed at different periods of a working day. Simultaneously, we used a calibrated voice recorder and mapped the overall perceived-sound pressure of urban space.Findings: The results showed instability in SPL at high ranges. It means that the fibre absorbers or street wall materials had acted insufficiently. The analysis also revealed a relatively normal Sound Transmission Index. However, the sound clarity in 50 milliseconds and 80 milliseconds were higher than average. On the qualitative evaluation part, the main sound contents that affected the sound clarity varied during the day. In the morning, users frequently perceived the carriage, motorcycle and human activity noises. Through noon, added to the morning sound content, they mentioned music sound. Finally, during the late evening, motorcycle and vehicle's noise, human's whispering and music were the most heard contents.Conclusion: By overlaying the quantitative and qualitative maps, we introduced the specific boundaries of the urban space that acoustically require urban design interventions. Despite the fact that the results might be restricted to a local context in Shiraz, the findings could impart fruitful information for implicating appropriate acoustic vitality guidelines in urban public spaces