Integrating Soundscape Criteria in Urban Sustainable Regeneration Processes: An Example of Comfort and Health Improvement

Karmele Herranz-Pascual, Ioseba Iraurgi, Itziar Aspuru, Igone Garcia-Pérez, Alvaro Santander and José Luis Eguiguren
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Karmele Herranz-Pascual: TECNALIA Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), Energy, Climate and Urban Transition Unit, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Astondo Bidea, Edificio 700, 48160 Derio, Spain
Ioseba Iraurgi: Deusto-Psych, Health Psychology R&D&I Unit, Unibertsitate Etorb. 24, 48007 Bilbo, Spain
Itziar Aspuru: TECNALIA Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), Energy, Climate and Urban Transition Unit, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Astondo Bidea, Edificio 700, 48160 Derio, Spain
Igone Garcia-Pérez: TECNALIA Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), Energy, Climate and Urban Transition Unit, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Astondo Bidea, Edificio 700, 48160 Derio, Spain
Alvaro Santander: TECNALIA Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), Energy, Climate and Urban Transition Unit, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Astondo Bidea, Edificio 700, 48160 Derio, Spain
José Luis Eguiguren: TECNALIA Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), Energy, Climate and Urban Transition Unit, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Astondo Bidea, Edificio 700, 48160 Derio, Spain

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-15

Abstract: This paper reports an example of an urban sustainable regeneration process in a small open square following the soundscape approach in urban design and involving a transdisciplinary team. The renovation of this urban public space brought changes in its acoustic environment and improved soundscape perception as much more pleasant (enhanced comfort). The rehabilitation broadened the use of the square and enhanced users’ wellbeing and health, showing a significant positive impact of sound: reduction in negative emotions and perceived stress while increasing positive feelings. To conclude, the implications of the results about restorative environments in urban sound planning and future areas of research are discussed.

Keywords: urban design; soundscape approach; open public spaces; acoustic comfort; restorative environments; psychological impact of sounds; urban sound planning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:6:p:3143-:d:766200

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