Project

Audio-visual interactions in environmental noise perception with respect to urban greening

Code
bof/baf/4y/2024/01/853
Duration
01 January 2024 → 31 December 2025
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Ecosystem services
    • Environmental management
  • Engineering and technology
    • Landscape architecture sciences and technology
    • Environmental and sustainable planning
Keywords
environmental noise soundscapes urban greening sound perception audio-visual interactions urban
 
Project description

Human environmental perception is multi-sensory. Evidence suggests that positive visual elements can alleviate negative impacts of environmental noise. In dense urban settings, noise level reducing measures are often inefficient. Exploiting audio-visual interactions could complement traditional approaches and offer new solutions for this pressing environmental issue. Urban greening plays a key role in creating visually appealing environments. Green window view, where outdoor vegetation is visible from one’s home, was shown to reduce residents' self-reported noise annoyance. How personal factors like connectedness to nature, perceptions of urban green deficiencies, and audio-visual sensitivity influence this remains unknown and will be explored. Such strategies may create audio-visual incongruencies, known to provoke negative reactions. Green infrastructure also introduces natural sounds with stress-reduction potential, expanding the study to the broader concept of urban soundscaping.