Analysis of Social Conflicts in Poland’s Soundscape as a Challenge to Socio-Acoustics

Abstract

T he study objective was to understand th e character and location of social conflicts in P o lan d 's sound scape. T he analyses were based on a review of press and In tern et articles from th e years 2008-2015 and reports on noise, preceded by a review of th e legal fram ework of protection against noise in Poland. Q uestionnaire surveys concerning P o lan d 's n ational parks and h ealth resorts and th e city of L ublin were an additional source of inform ation. In th e case of th e former, th e surveys were supplem ented w ith a general exam ination of th e acoustic determ inants of social conflicts in th e Podzam cze district.A n analysis shows th a t sound in landscape has been a source of more th a n 100 social conflicts which were m ost frequently related to unpleasant sounds (noise nuisance) and th e right to peace and quiet. T he public dem ands acoustic com fort, one of th e d eterm inants of th e quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to know th e public opinion on soundscapes (survey of sound preferences). Public consultations concerning th e assessment of acoustic disturbance and sound preferences will make it possible to avoid social conflicts arising from insufficient knowledge. A m ajor role is also played by th e education of th e public and decision-makers through sound awareness cam paigns, e.g. as p a rt of ecology education. T he subjective assessment of noise nuisance severity and th e acoustic design of public spaces should be an integral p a rt of environm ental noise control program m es and revitalisation program m es.T he conducted studies dem onstrated th a t understanding th e character and location of social conflicts in soundscape is a m ajor scientific problem . Its resolution requires combining sociological studies (ques tionnaire for th e valuation of th e subjective feelings of respondents) w ith field analyses (observations, acoustic m easurem ents). It is a prom ising research field th a t has been developed to a lim ited extent so far. K e y w o rd s : noise; soundscape; perception; social conflict; Poland.

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The influence of road traffic noise on apartment prices – Białystok case study

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