Noise in Cities

Past research focused on noise level (measured in decibels) and people's responses.

Noise 'maps'

●   show that the highest noise levels are usually found on roads

●   do not show other sources of noise, e.g. when windows are open or people's neighbours are in their 

●   ignore variation in people's perceptions of noise

●   have made people realize that the noise is a  issue that must be dealt with

Problems caused by noise

●   sleep disturbance

●   increase in amount of stress

●   effect on the  of schoolchildren

Different types of noise

Some noises can be considered pleasant e.g. the sound of a  in a town

To investigate this, researchers may use methods from  sciences e.g. questionnaires

What people want

Plenty of activity in urban environments which are  , but also allow people to relax

But architects and town planners

●   do not get much  in acoustics

●   regard sound as the responsibility of engineers

Understanding sound as an art form

We need to know

●   how sound relates to 

●   what can be learnt from psychology about the effects of sound

●   whether physics can help us understand the  of sound

Virtual reality programs

●   advantage: predict the effect of buildings

●   current disadvantage: they are