The effects of “greening” urban areas on the perceptions of tranquillity

Watts, G R

doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2017.05.010

Cited by 41 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Besides, all the visit motivations showed positive relationships with visual landscape preference. As pointed out by other researchers, tranquillity could be predicted by natural and contextual features (Watts, 2017;Watts et al, 2013). It is also verified by many researchers the existence of audio-visual interaction (Hong and Jeon, 2014;Pheasant et al, 2010).…”

Section: Effects Of Visit Motivations On Overall Soundscape Preferencesupporting

confidence: 58%

“…The focuses were on either the effects of vegetation on physical reduction of noise, such as traffic noise reduction by single plants, green walls, and hedges (Fang and Ling, 2003;Horoshenkov et al, 2013;Van Renterghem et al, 2014;Wong et al, 2010;Yamada, 2006), or by land use parameters emphasizing on green spaces (Margaritis and Kang, 2016), or the psychological noise attenuation (Dzhambov and Dimitrova, 2014;Dzhambov and Dimitrova, 2015). In practical aspect, tranquillity rating prediction tool has been proposed for urban green areas (Watts et al, 2013), and was further applied to predict greening effect on tranquillity in city squares (Watts, 2017). Soundscape-based forest planning for recreational and therapeutic activities was also proposed (Yamada, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors associated with soundscape experiences in urban green spaces: A case study in Rostock, Germany

Liu

Wang

Zimmer

et al. 2019

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

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Urban green spaces could play a more prominent role than other types of urban open space in providing high quality soundscapes. The main objective of this study was to examine the relationships between people's visit motivation, along with other social/demographical/behavioral as well as visual landscape factors and soundscape experiences in terms of the perceived occurrences and loudness of individual sounds, the preference for individual sounds, as well as overall soundscape preference in urban green spaces. This was based on a questionnaire survey of 400 users in four urban green spaces in Rostock, Germany. The results showed that street traffic sounds were the least preferred, but in a dominating position either in perceived occurrences or loudness, while bird song and water sound were the most preferred sounds. Among the social/demographical/behavioral factors length of stay was the most associated one with soundscape experiences, especially the perception of street traffic sound and bird song. All the five visit motivations were positively related to overall soundscape preference, with "Enjoy a quiet environment" showing the highest correlation coefficient (0.323). "Enjoy the scenery or atmosphere" showed the most significant relationships with perception of individual sounds, with totally 10 different perception parameters. The perception of street traffic sound, motorcycle noise, bird song and water sounds were more associated with visual landscape preference than other kinds of sound. Besides, overall soundscape preference could be affected by visual landscape preference indirectly through the perceived occurrences and loudness of certain sounds. The results suggested that sound sensibility indicated by perceived occurrences of individual sounds was more associated with the examined factors. These findings could be instructive in the soundscape and landscape planning and designing process of urban green spaces.

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Section: Effects Of Visit Motivations On Overall Soundscape Preferencesupporting

confidence: 58%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with soundscape experiences in urban green spaces: A case study in Rostock, Germany

Liu

Wang

Zimmer

et al. 2019

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…These studies indicate that the tool can be used with some confidence. The effects on predicted perceived tranquillity of town squares, city parks alongside major roads and residential roads and gardens under varying conditions have all been examined [10]. This illustrates the approach that can be taken by concerned groups such as planners, environmentalists, civic leader and citizens in order to determine changes in tranquillity levels brought about by various interventions both positive and negative.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, for a TR value of 5.0 nearly 50% of visitors report that they are "more relaxed" after visiting the park while at a value of 8 approximately 80% report being "more relaxed". These results have been used to validate the following category limits for TR defined previously [7]: <5 unacceptable 5.0 -5.9 just acceptable 6.0 -6.9 fairly good 7.0 -7.9 good ≥ 8.0 excellent A previous study [10] employed TRAPT to gauge the benefits of "greening" urban areas. In this paper we look at a means of encouraging people to visit existing green and tranquil spaces.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tranquillity Trails for urban areas

Watts

2018

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

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Tranquil spaces can be found and made in the city and their promotion and use by residents and visitors is an important means of building resilience. Studies have shown that spaces that are rated by visitors as tranquil are more likely to produce higher levels of relaxation and less anxiety that should ultimately result in health and well-being benefits. Such spaces can therefore be classed as restorative environments. Tranquil spaces are characterized by a soundscape dominated by natural sounds and low levels of manmade noise. In addition, the presence of vegetation and wild life has been shown to be an important contributory factor. Levels of rated tranquillity can be reliably predicted using a previously developed model TRAPT and then used to design and identify tranquil spaces, improve existing green spaces and develop Tranquillity Trails to encourage usage. Tranquillity Trails are walking routes that have been designed to enable residents and visitors to reflect and recover from stress while receiving the benefits of healthy exercise. This paper describes Tranquillity Trails designed for three contrasting areas. Predictions of the rated tranquillity have been made along these routes and feedback from users was elicited at one site that confirmed the expected benefits. 199 words

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“…It was also shown that this classification influences the effect of visual context on evaluation of the sonic environment and the strength of the contribution of the sonic environment to the overall appreciation of an environment [ 30 ]. The third factor considered in this study is related to personal expectations and connections to “greenery” as an environmental mediator; that is a (positive) preconception people might have about the potential of natural features to compensate for negative effects of noise and air pollution [ 12 , 31 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Personal Factors on Sound Perception and Overall Experience in Urban Green Areas. A Case Study of a Cycling Path Highly Exposed to Road Traffic Noise

Aletta

Renterghem

Botteldooren

2018

IJERPH

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In contemporary urban design, green public areas play a vital role. They have great societal value, but if exposed to undue environmental noise their restorative potential might be compromised. On the other hand, research has shown that the presence of greenery can moderate noise annoyance in areas with high sound levels, while personal factors are expected to play an important role too. A cycling path bordered by vegetation, but highly exposed to road traffic noise, was here considered as a case study. A sound perception survey was submitted to participants on site and they were subsequently sorted into groups according to their noise sensitivity, visual attention and attitude towards greenery. The aim of this study was testing whether these three personal factors could affect their noise perception and overall experience of the place. Results showed that people highly sensitive to noise and more sceptical towards greenery’s potential as an environmental moderator reported worse soundscape quality, while visually attentive people reported better quality. These three personal factors were found to be statistically independent. This study shows that several person-related factors impact the assessment of the sound environment in green areas. Although the majority of the respondents benefit from the presence of visual green, policy-makers and planners should be aware that for a significant subset of the population, it should be accompanied by a tranquil soundscape to be fully appreciated.

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The effects of “greening” urban areas on the perceptions of tranquillity

Cited by 41 publications

References 16 publications

Factors associated with soundscape experiences in urban green spaces: A case study in Rostock, Germany

Factors associated with soundscape experiences in urban green spaces: A case study in Rostock, Germany

Tranquillity Trails for urban areas

Influence of Personal Factors on Sound Perception and Overall Experience in Urban Green Areas. A Case Study of a Cycling Path Highly Exposed to Road Traffic Noise

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