Quietness in the Soundscape of the Białowieża National Park

Wiciak, Jerzy; Mleczko, Dominik; Ozga, A.; Wszołek, G.; Wierzbicki, J.; Piechowicz, Janusz; Małecki, Paweł

doi:10.12693/aphyspola.128.a-79

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 9 publications

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“…Bearing in mind that a normal conversation of two people corresponds to sounds with the level of 55-60 dB and thus not always contributes to friendly soundscape for other users of the same space, the maximum value of the function was assumed to be 50 dB. Masking the sounds with levels below 30 or exceeding 70 dB is pointless; the lower-limit values are possible to register only in parks late at night (Wiciak et al, 2015), whereas upper limit levels are perceived as dis- Fig. 7.…”

Section: Theory Of Complexity For the Analysis Of Acoustic Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

A Proposal Concerning Assessment of Alternative Cityscape Designs with Audiovisual Comfort and Health of Inhabitants

2023

Archives of Acoustics

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The research concerning the future of sound in towns and cities is focused on two main issues: studies are conducted separately on the comfort, i.e., assessment of visual scenery and sound levels in a cityscape and separately, on the health protection issues. The policy of the acoustic environment control with regard to the health of its inhabitants is traditionally connected with measurements of noise levels presented with the help of the coefficients L den and L night noise indicators, while the models based on tranquillity rating (TR) with the help of the coefficients L Amax , L Amin , L Aeq , L A10 . None of these coefficients refers to the soundscape. In this paper, we present a justification of the necessity to enter into discussion on the need to combine these research areas. The authorities managing towns and cities of the future should be provided with tools enabling them to assess modernisation projects from the point of view of both health and comfort of inhabitants. We present our ideas treating them as an invitation to a scientific discourse, in the form of analysis of actual projects concerning modification of existing cityscapes. The modifications are aimed at returning some unfavourably developed spaces to the inhabitants. When analysing the changes proposed in the projects, we take into account two models of the revitalised area quality assessment. The first model is used to assess the effect of noise on health. The second model, based on the indicator known as the TR, serves simultaneous assessment of an area from both visual and acoustical aspects. The models used contemporarily by scientists show multiple flaws, therefore, for the TR indicator we propose a modification taking the sound structure into account. The modification embodies the idea of masking unpleasant sounds with friendly ones. The changes to the model are presented, in this paper, in the context of two projects which were worked out in the framework of 12th edition of the intercollegiate workshop cycle The New Cityscapes. In the course of each workshop of the cycle, we combined art, science, and technology in order to seek solutions creating a better future. In view of the importance of this issue and the need to introduce a certain level of universalism, the authors offer an invitation to join a discussion on the future of sound in urban agglomerations.

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Section: Theory Of Complexity For the Analysis Of Acoustic Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

A Proposal Concerning Assessment of Alternative Cityscape Designs with Audiovisual Comfort and Health of Inhabitants

2023

Archives of Acoustics

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

Bernat¹

2016

Archives of Acoustics

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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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Soundscapes of Health Resorts in Poland and their Revitalization

Bernat

2020

Technical Transactions

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The objective of the studies was to recognise the need for and possibilities of preserving and revitalizing the soundscapes of health resorts in Poland. The research process included an analysis of the legal environment determining the functioning of Polish health resorts. Noise hazards and values of soundscapes were identified and acoustic revitalization measures were proposed for the selected health resorts. A review of scientific literature was performed and health resort surveys and audit reports were conducted. The next stage was focussed on the questionnaire sent out to the local governments of health resort districts and towns in Poland. The discussion referred, inter alia, to the recommendations of the team of experts in the field of changes within the spa treatment system in Poland. The conducted studies demonstrated that most health resorts in Poland have some soundscape values. However, these values may be lost because of the threat of noise from transport and tourism. Health resorts in Poland thus need revitalization measures aimed at achieving a high quality of soundscape.

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Quietness in the Soundscape of the Białowieża National Park

Cited by 4 publications

References 9 publications

A Proposal Concerning Assessment of Alternative Cityscape Designs with Audiovisual Comfort and Health of Inhabitants

A Proposal Concerning Assessment of Alternative Cityscape Designs with Audiovisual Comfort and Health of Inhabitants

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

Soundscapes of Health Resorts in Poland and their Revitalization

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