Research on the Acoustic Environment of Heritage Buildings: A Systematic Review

Abstract

As a significant part of heritage building protection, an increasing number of researchers pay attention to the study of the acoustic environment. The purpose of this study was to provide a clear understanding of the status quo of acoustic environment research on heritage buildings and discuss future development directions through a systematic literature review. The PRISMA protocol was used to conduct a systematic evaluation based on 42 studies on the acoustic environment of heritage buildings retrieved from databases such as the Web of Science. Research on the acoustic environment of heritage buildings mainly focused on the following four aspects: the acoustic environment with different functions, the influence of building materials on the acoustic environment, the digitization of acoustic heritage, soundscape measurement, and perception of the historical area. Second, this study discusses the development trend of acoustic environment research of heritage buildings and the shortcomings of current research. Finally, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the acoustic environment research of heritage buildings and offers suggestions for future research.

Soundscapes in Arab Cities: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda

“…Furthermore, review articles and systematic reviews on this subject are increasingly published, aiming to deepen the understanding of this theme by analyzing published studies to determine research trends. On an international scale as well, several studies specifically focus on the indoor soundscape, seeking to elucidate this phenomenon within buildings, especially in public spaces [19,[36][37][38][45][46][47][48].…”

“…The cities in this region are the result of an interaction between harsh climatic conditions, social and economic needs, and various historical factors [14,15]. Among other parameters, the soundscape is closely linked to the identity and intangible heritage of cities because it allows residents and visitors to experience a unique atmosphere that reflects the culture, history, and traditions of the city [16,17], especially in the Arab region [18][19][20]. Within this context, this study focuses on the subject of soundscape, which is a relatively new concept developed in 1977 by the Canadian researcher Schaefer in his book "The Soundscape, our sonic environment and the tuning of the world," to describe all sounds perceived by humans in their environment and without positive or negative judgment [21].…”

“…This study is a comprehensive exploration of the soundscape of Arab cities. By delving into the distinct dimensions of the sound environment of these cities, we shed light on the unique acoustic features shaped by a convergence of cultural [26][27][28][29], historical, and environmental influences, including architectural design, social and cultural practices [3,18,19,30,31]. In the face of rapid urbanization and the influence of global architectural trends, it is imperative to underscore the crucial need to preserve this auditory heritage [17,32,33], which extends beyond a mere collection of urban sounds.…”

Soundscape in religious historical buildings: a review

“…With contributions by scholars from diverse academic backgrounds, the scope of soundscape research has steadily broadened, yielding increasingly robust academic contributions. Review studies of soundscapes have covered the soundscapes of natural environments [6], psychoacoustic indicators in soundscapes [7], acoustic environments of heritage buildings [8], psychophysiological implications of soundscapes [9], social acoustic surveys of soundscape studies [10], and the impact of COVID-19 on soundscapes [11]. In 2016, Professor Kang, chair of the European Soundscape Alliance, edited "Soundscape and the Building Environment" [12] and provided a comprehensive overview of soundscape research from ten different perspectives.…”

Assessing the Soundscape Characteristics of Historical Urban Environments: An Analysis of the Historical Erbil Citadel and Its Environments

“…Concurrently, safeguarding the auditory ambiance of historical districts holds paramount importance in elevating public appreciation of cultural heritage and heightening awareness about heritage building preservation. Moreover, as the restoration of acoustic heritage and rectification of acoustic characteristics in heritage buildings unfold, research, development, and experimentation with novel sustainable materials emerge as pivotal tasks [9]. Soundscape evaluations are crucial for understanding and guiding planning and design practices, helping formulate precise goals and strategies for preserving, restoring, and optimizing acoustic environments in scenic areas and World Heritage Sites [10].…”