Effect of human sound component on the sociability of urban public spaces—a case study in Sheffield, UK

Jingwen Cao and Jian Kang ()
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Jingwen Cao: Nanjing University
Jian Kang: University College London

Palgrave Communications, 2024, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Soundscape quality is important for fostering social interactions in urban public spaces. This study focuses on how and to what extent the compositions of the soundscape affect the sociability of urban public spaces where human sound is focused. Four 360° experimental soundscape samples were designed as foreground/background/no human sound type and signal sound type, based on the raw data collected in Peace Gardens, Sheffield, United Kingdom. Following Affordance Theory, sociability was analyzed by the experimental survey through two aspects—suitability and stimulation level—through a questionnaire consisting of Soundscape Quality evaluation (SQE) and Level of Willingness for social interactions (LoW), respectively. 120 participants were recruited in the same site representing the compositions of space users. Results show that only foreground human sound type significantly enhanced both suitability and stimulation levels, other samples were evaluated with either high suitability/low stimulation or low suitability/high stimulation. Results indicate people prefer a human sound dominated soundscape with high complexity and this preference was varied among different companion types and age groups. To achieve high sociability, it is suggested to create a complex and eventful soundscape within the range of pleasantness accompanied by a centripetal spatial form, and concerns users' diverse demographic backgrounds.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-03929-y

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