Urban park soundscape in distinct sociocultural and geographical contexts

Abstract

The importance of soundscape in urban public parks has galvanised researchers concerned with improving the sound environment in cities. Existing literature reveals, however, arelative paucity of studiesonsoundscape in particular sociocultural and environmental contexts, and on the influence of these contexts in the perception of the urban sound space. Within this framework, this paper investigates the soundscape of parks in the cities of Belém, Brazil, and Lisbon, Portugal. The influence of geography and climate as determinant of activities and behaviors, the emission of natural and man-made sounds that characterise the soundscape of urban parks, the way park users evaluate the quality of sound environments were analysed, as were other elements that contribute for such an appreciation. The methodology encompassed sound measurements inside and outside the parks, analysis of the audibility of identifiable sound sources, study of local uses and activities through soundwalks and interviews, and assessment of responses to enquiries. The results shows that the soundscape of park depends on different features such as geography, climate, urban architecture, park infrastructure, sound sources, and most importantly the visitors' expectations for the planned activities, together with their other sensorial responses, which proved to be different in distinct sociocultural and environmental contexts.