Identifying barriers to engage with soundscape standards: Insights from national standards bodies and experts

Abstract

This study explores the engagement of national standards bodies and practitioners with the ISO 12913 series on soundscape. It reveals critical challenges in stakeholder engagement, communication, competence, and practical application. A strategic roadmap, aligned with the normalization process theory, is proposed, comprising meaningful stakeholder engagement, building workability and integration, and community building and reflective monitoring. Results underscore the influence of national priorities, communication gaps, limited resources, and the need for practical guidance. Future efforts should focus on promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration and developing tools to quantify the societal and economic impact of soundscape interventions, addressing the multifaceted barriers identified.