Soundscape Basics and Practical Implications

Soundscape research represents a paradigm shift, as it involves human and social sciences and physical measurements to account for the diversity of soundscapes across countries and cultures. Moreover, it treats environmental sounds as a resource rather than a waste.

Soundscape and the Built Environment is the first book to systematically discuss soundscape in the built environment. It begins with a presentation of theory and basic background, answering questions such as: what is soundscape, how is it important, and how does it affect people in terms of their health and perception on the acoustic environment. The book then sets out tools for implementing a soundscape approach, with measurement techniques, mapping, and good soundscape practices. It also delivers a series of examples of the application of the soundscape approach in planning, design, and assessment.

• Discusses soundscape and environmental noise
• Explores cultural variations and the way they influence soundscape
• Introduces binaural measurement technology and psychoacoustics
• Examines the physical, psychological, and physiological restorative mechanism of high-quality acoustic environments
• Presents soundscape mapping based on human perception of sound sources
• Includes real-world examples and case studies highlighting the key issues in soundscape intervention

Soundscape and the Built Environment is written by a group of leading international figures and derives from a four-year EU COST project on Soundscapes of European Cities and Landscapes. It presents a consensus on the current state of the art and is not merely a collection of different views. It is written for acoustic consultants, urban planners, designers and policy makers, as well as for graduate students and researchers.

INTRODUCTION
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Assessment of soundscapes, basic definitions, an attempt to standardize
Soundscape nomenclature in various languages and disciplines
International standards relevant for soundscape studies
From Sonic Environment to Soundscape
Listening
Auditory Scene Analysis
The role of multisensory attention
How sounds get meaning
Appraisal and quality judgment in a socio-cultural context
A holistic model for soundscape
How soundscape theory can affect practice
Human Restoration and Quality Of Life: The Role of High Acoustic Quality
Introduction
The review: Method
Results
Conclusions
Impact of Soundscape in Terms of Perception
The holistic in soundscape
Methods to balance the acoustics in the living environment
Participation as the leading construct
Outline of studies for urban areas: overview and outcomes
Discussion regarding a guideline for future noise studies
Indicators to be obtained for political input
Perceived Soundscapes in Relation to Transport Related Annoyance, Context and Personal Characteristics; Case Studies
The need for the integration of different scale levels in soundscape health and quality of life studies
Large scale health and quality of life studies (Schiphol & National neighbourhood study)
Medium to smaller scales health and quality of life studies (BBT & ALPNAP)
Future perspective
Human Hearing-Related Measurement And Analysis Of Acoustic Environments ¿ Requisite For Soundscape Investigations
Measurement Equipment
Measurement Conditions and Specifications
Analysis of Acoustic Environments by means of Psychoacoustics
Characterization of Soundscapes
Mapping of Soundscape
Noise mapping
Sound mapping
Soundscape mapping based on ANN
Mind mapping to psychoacoustic alternatives
Soundscape topography
Procedures and techniques for identification of sound components
Approaches to Urban Soundscape Management, Planning, and Design
Introduction
Outdoors soundscape concept
Soundscape approach vs noise control approach
Soundscape management in new urban projects
Soundscape planning and design
Conclusions
Soundscape As Part of the Cultural and Natural Heritage
Introduction
Multi-sensorial appreciation of cultural and natural heritage
Soundscape as intangible trademark: recognition¿s techniques
Tools for the Soundscape safeguard
Applications
Historical towns
Archaeological parks
Natural parks
Festivals
Applied Soundscape Practices
Purpose-designed soundscape projects
Other projects achieving good soundscape quality
Examples of soundscape practice in policy
Potential policy applications of soundscape principles
Methods of soundscape modification
Priorities for soundscape intervention
Improving future soundscape practices
BIBLIOGRAPHY

"This publication is set to become the long awaited benchmark in soundscape research and will undoubtedly be used by acoustic practitioners, students, policy makers, academics and urban designers for many years to come and is therefore highly recommended."
¿Robert J. Pheasant, Applied Acoustics, July 2016

"An excellent book highly recommended for professionals, consultants, researchers, students and administrators in variety of fields such as acoustics, architecture, landscape design, building science and technology, urban planning, transportation engineering and environmental science."
¿Noise Control Engineering Journal

"Written and compiled by the leading experts in the field of soundscapes and therefore a complete and up-to-date view of the subject."
¿Dr Raf Orlowski, Ramboll Acoustics, UK

"¿ a comprehensive view of the emerging science and practice of soundscape analysis, and its practical applications. ¿ This book leads the way to the future of the analysis and design of our sonic environment."
¿Bennett Brooks, Brooks Acoustics Corporation, USA

"¿ this book provides novel holistic insights ¿ It is highly recommended to any acoustical engineers, urban planners, community groups or others who care about soundscape design¿"
¿Jin Yong Jeon, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea

"The book will be a welcome contribution to the literature on an emerging topic of international importance."
¿Gary W. Siebein, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA

"This book is a must-have; a high-quality and complete review reference text on soundscape approached from the most important research fields and scientific disciplines."
¿Kristian Jambrosic, Nuntius August 2016

"This excellent book is highly recommended for professionals, consultants, researchers, students, and administrators in a variety of fields, such as acoustics, architecture, landscape design, building science and technology, urban planning, transportation engineering, and environmental science."

--M. G. Prasad, Stevens Institute of Technology, USA

Jian Kang obtained his first degree and MSc from Tsinghua University in Beijing, and his Ph.D from the University of Cambridge. He has been a professor of acoustics at the School of Architecture, University of Sheffield, since 2003. Before joining Sheffield, he worked as a senior research associate at the Martin Centre, University of Cambridge, and as an A. v. Humboldt Fellow at the Fraunhofer Institute of Building Physics in Germany. His main research area is architectural and environmental acoustics. He has published three books, more than 200 refereed journal papers and book chapters, and more than 300 conference papers. He served as chair of the European Committee COST Action TD 082011-201204 "Soundscape of European Cities and Landscapes."

Brigitte Schulte-Fortkamp is a professor of psychoacoustics and noise effects at the Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Engineering Acoustics, Technische Universit¿Berlin, Germany. She has been a research professor at MIT Boston, Osaka University, and Universit¿ierre et Marie Curie, Paris. She is a fellow of the Acoustical Society of America and an associate editor of the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. Her research activities include psychoacoustics, acoustic ecology, and soundscapes. She served as co-chair of the European Committee COST Action TD 082011-201204 "Soundscape of European Cities and Landscapes." She is not only a member of ISO/TC 43/SC 1/WG 54 -12913-1 "Perceptual Assessment of Soundscape Quality" but also project leader for the NWIP 12913-2 Acoustics-Soundscape-Part 2: Methods and Measurements in Soundscape Studies. She is a distinguished international member of INCE USA. From 2011 to 2012, among others Professor Schulte-Fortkamp served as vice president of the Acoustical Society of America. In 2012, she received the European Soundscape Award.