Visitor Perception of Soundscapes in Hong Kong urban parks

Lawal M. Marafa

《International Leisure Review》 6卷1期 (2017/03) Pp. 3-18

https://doi.org/10.6298/ILR.2017.6.1

摘要

The study evaluates soundscape perception and preferences among visitors to three urban parks in Hong Kong, China. Aiming to demonstrate the importance of positive soundscapes within urban sustainability, the authors touch upon noise control, parks design and the effects of sound on human health. In order to gather the necessary data for this research, fieldwork in the urban parks comprised park user and manager interviews, soundwalks and sound level measurements. These methods led to the creation of a sound inventory detailing the sound sources and other important factors within the soundscape. The interviews gauged park user perceptions and preferences such as sensitivity to urban noise and sound source valuation. Park managers were interviewed to gain a management perspective of soundscapes and park design. The data indicates that urban parks are acoustic refuges within the city that provide more natural sounds than the surrounding built-up environment. Park users prefer natural sounds (biophony and geophony) to man-made sounds (anthrophony) and generally felt that park soundscapes were positive and not too noisy. Visitors also stressed the desire for more parks in Hong Kong as well as more quiet areas in the parks. It is the authors' belief that both new and existing parks should integrate positive sound sources and tranquillity into their designs, therein contributing to better living conditions in the city.

關鍵字

Anthrophony ； Hong Kong ； Human Perception ； Soundscape ； Urban Parks