Soundscape design guidelines through noise mapping methodologies: An application to medium urban agglomerations

Abstract

Abstract:In the framework of the European Directive 2002/49/EC, from 2012 to 2016, several cities in Greece have completed noise strategic maps with noise action plans that usually define the main strategies to reduce the noise residents are exposed to and introduce and preserve "quiet zones". Several medium urban agglomerations in Greece (Volos, Larissa, Chania, Heraklion, Corfu, Agrinio, Thessaloniki) have been chosen to also analyse the sound qualities of the soundscapes of specific urban neighbourhoods in order to generate recommendations for the urban design of the soundscapes of these agglomerations in a manner that complements conventional noise mitigation measures. The general principle of this approach is to relate quantitative data (e.g., from measurements, acoustic simulations, urban forms, topography, and traffic model) with qualitative data (e.g., from type of sources, interviews, reports on environmental noise perception) by creating quantitative and qualitative maps. The aim of this study is to propose possible action tools to the relevant authorities aiming at diminishing noise levels in affected areas and also to provide solutions towards a sustainable sound environment both in space and time. This paper presents the main current methodology, selected important results proposed for the urban agglomerations of a typical Southeast Mediterranean country such as Greece.

Assessing Health Effects and Soundscape Analysis as New Mitigation Actions Concerning the Aircraft Noise Impact in Small- and Middle-Size Urban Areas in Greece

“…According to European Directive 2002/49, all member States shall ensure that, no later than 30 June 2007, strategic noise maps showing the situation on the preceding calendar year will have been made and, where relevant, approved by the competent authorities, for all agglomerations with more than 250,000 inhabitants and for all major roads which have more than six million vehicle passages a year, major railways which have more than 60,000 train passages per year, and major airports within their territories [2]. In order to evaluate the sound impact and the relevant noise nuisance, we have developed a multidisciplinary methodology that simultaneously takes into account the real-time acoustic measurements and the SNM software prediction results that we cross with the results of interviews conducted in situ with inhabitants on the theme of acoustic comfort and sound identities [13].…”

“…The results constitute a total analysis of the "in situ" surveys with the inhabitants. This process makes it possible to reveal the sound indicators and the sound markers of the studied subareas [13] as described by Schafer (sound indicators indicate what kind of sources are heard by the residents and the sound markers are sounds that can be only heard in the neighborhood and do not exist somewhere else). Both indices and markers maps can be used to understand and describe the sound qualities of the environments and perceptual dimensions of the soundscapes of the places.…”

“…In 2013, according to the legislation and European Directive 2002/49, a full Strategic Noise Map (SNM) and Noise Action Plan (NAP) were completed. Given the efficiency of such an action plan [12,13], we developed during several environmental studies a specific methodology in order to cross-analyze the acoustic data with the perception of the soundscapes [14,15] and draw an global action plan for noise exposure and soundscape management. It has been applied to the subarea of Alikarnassos and the main results are presented in the following paragraphs.…”

Changing the Urban Sound Environment in Greece: A Guide Based on Selected Case Studies of Strategic Noise Maps (SNM) and Noise Action Plans (NAP) in Medium and Large Urban Areas

“…Actually, the main goal of these interviews is to understand the sounds that residents can listen to in situ, and also how these sounds are categorized and assessed. The goal of the analysis is not to describe all of the sounds that can be heard on site, but also to ask the people who live there which one can be considered as a signal (recognizable), and the ones that can mark and identify the place (markers) [14,26,33]. For each urban area, individual interviews were conducted based on the same questionnaire, and recorded on digital recorder.…”

Urban Traffic Noise Maps under 3D Complex Building Environments on a Supercomputer

“…A noise map is an important tool for observing and controlling noise pollution and the basis for epidemiology study relating annoyance to noise and noise exposure in urban areas. In urban planning, a noise map is used to analyze the sound qualities of the soundscapes in a specific urban area to generate recommendations for the urban design of the soundscapes [12]. For example, Palma de Mallorca (Spain) conducted a study analyzing various noise mitigation measures, which consider not only the reduction of noise and the number of people who can benefit from these measures but also the net monetary benefits generated, by using a traffic noise map [13].…”