Applications - Soundscape Ecology: Principles, Patterns, Methods and Applications - page 282

3.5 It is recommended a standardization of sampling and processing methodologies.
3.6 The Soundscape of historical urban sites and its character should be considered a
value (tourism, cultural heritage and quality of life).
10.13 Some Characteristics of the Urban Sonic
Environment
In natural areas vegetation and geo-morphological structures act as a sponge that
absorb certain frequencies. This effect is strongly modified by the position of the
objects and the position of the listener.
In urban areas buildings function as screens, masking sounds, and the distance
from sound sources is important. Elevated roads increase the noise effect at the
upper level of buildings facing such roads but this solution significantly reduces the
road noise for people living at the ground.
Squares fully surrounded by buildings can have a tranquil sonic environment:
the presence of green roofs and balconies can increase the quiet fa¸ade effect. Roof
slope can be another important factor of energy diffraction. Sound diffraction is
reduced more by green covers than by traditional tile.
Streets in many cases function as an acoustic canyon in which sounds reverber-
ate, creating a sense of annoyance. The sound is maintained longer along such
streets, especially if the streets are narrow as in city centers. If the fa¸ade has the
possibility for absorption this reduces the sound pressure, but unfortunately it is not
possible to use such absorbing material because is not weather resistant. The use of
green vegetation along the street fa¸ade is an important strategy to reduce noise and
canyon effect.
Public spaces in an urban context offer different services: shopping, meeting,
recreation, leisure, enjoyment, etc., and the paradigm that a silenced area may be
the best is not the true goal.
Thus, noise remains an important factor in the quality of life for every urban
dweller.
10.14 Urban Noise Management
One popular goal to manage the sonic environment in an urban context is to reduce
noise and to create quiet areas. Sonic tranquility today is not seen as a necessity.
Tranquility of outdoor spaces is a positive environmental quality in both urban
and rural landscapes. The assessment of tranquility remains a disputed argument
and specific parameters are not available for such evaluation. Tranquility does not
mean absence of noise but a combination of pleasant sounds with a scenic
surrounding. Kaplan and Kaplan ( 1989 ) consider important elements for a tranquil
place the “soft fascination” that should provide a pleasing level of sensory input.