The soundscape of nature areas: assessment and review of research approaches

Miriam Weber

The Environmental Noise Directive requires authorities to delineate (nature) areas where the acoustic quality is good, and to protect these areas. In the Netherlands, since decades provinces have delineated so-called quiet areas cf. the Environmental Protection Act. In line with the noise abatement paradigm acoustic parameters were applied as maximum allowed levels (e.g. 40 dB Lday) and specific activities near or in these nature areas were restricted. Underlying reasons for preserving the (acoustics) quality of the quiet areas, such as restoration for humans or effects on animals, were hardly considered. Interestingly, some regional authorities adopted the END as a shift from noise abatement towards soundscape approaches. In the Province of South Holland (acoustic) quality in thee quiet areas is assessed applying insights from international soundscape research. A two step approach is applied; a ‘classic’ approach of measuring noise indicators. And parallel to measuring visitors and people living in the vicinity of the areas are surveyed, using a questionnaire on sound perception, overall quality assessment of the area, noise annoyance at home et cetera. The paper will discuss (dis)advantages of the approach applied, and will provide suggestions for standardisation of soundscape research in urban as well as nature areas.

Mots clés: soundscape; nature areas

Domaines: Acoustique [physics.class-ph]

Miriam Weber. The soundscape of nature areas: assessment and review of research approaches. Acoustics 2012, Apr 2012, Nantes, France. ⟨hal-00811327⟩