Soundscape mapping in urban contexts using GIS techniques

Abstract

Urban acoustic environments consist of various sound sources including traffic noise, human-generated sounds, and natural sounds that affect the soundscape perception of a given location. However, these sound sources are indistinguishable by noise maps that are based on sound pressure levels. Hence, soundscape maps based on the perception of sounds are necessary to describe an acoustic environment more accurately. Presented herein is a study of soundscape perception, which employs GIS techniques to generate soundscape maps in various urban settings including commercial, business, recreational, and residential spaces. Soundscape perceptions and physical characteristics of the acoustic environments pertaining to these urban settings were evaluated from questionnaire surveys and acoustic measurements, respectively. The results demonstrate how soundscape perceptions and spatial variation in urban soundscapes are closely related to their corresponding urban contexts.