Soundscape Optimization Strategies Based on Landscape Elements in Urban Parks: A Case Study of Greenlake Park in Kunming

Abstract

The soundscape quality of urban parks can influence the mental and physical health of park visitors. This paper proposes strategies for optimizing soundscape quality by correlating the physical parameters to the human perception. The data has been gathered through a case study of Greenlake Park located in Kunming, China. The objective physical acoustic indexes and the subjective soundscape perception were analyzed using a combination of GIS spatial statistical analysis from 1224 pieces of environmental sound pressure level data and questionnaire data of human perception collected through soundwalks. The conclusions are as follows: (1) Compared with water bodies, lands perform better in absorbing and reducing the environmental sound pressure level with a decrease of 2.0 dB every 15 m in the terrestrial landscape of rich plant layers and high degree of enclosure, compared to a decrease of 1.5 dB every 15 m in the water landscape with lotus leaves, cruise ships or structures; (2) Sound pressure level and types of sound sources profoundly affect our soundscape perception. Acoustic environment evaluation, soundscape suitability, visual preferences, pleasure perception and relaxation perception are positively correlated with natural sound perception (p < 0.01), while significantly negatively correlated with sound pressure level, human activity and mechanical sound perception. In the end, the correlation between landscape elements and sound pressure level, sound sources and soundscape perception are discussed, and a soundscape optimization strategy for urban parks supported by research data is proposed.