From Environmental Noise Control to Soundscape: Potentials in Soundscape Design of Urban Open Public Spaces

This paper first reviews recent/current developments in environmental noise research and practice, especially in Europe, after the publication of the Directive of the European Parliament relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. It then argues that soundscape research will represent a paradigm shift in the field of environmental acoustics in that it combines physical, social and psychological approaches and considers environmental sounds as a 'resource' rather than a 'waste'. The main aim of this paper is to systematically demonstrate the potentials in soundscape design, especially in urban open public spaces. By establishing a framework containing the influencing factors in soundscape planning and design in urban open public spaces, the design potentials of the four key components, namely sound, space, people and environment, are systematically explored. Moreover, design tools/models for soundscape presentation and evaluation are briefly reviewed.