Tranquillity and Soundscapes in Urban Green Spaces—Predicted and Actual Assessments from a Questionnaire Survey

TLDR

Previous work showed that the TRAPT tool could predict perceived tranquillity in three green open spaces, enabling calculation of tranquillity levels in such settings. This study aimed to test whether TRAPT could predict reported tranquillity across eight sites and to identify additional factors beyond physical descriptors that influence visitor perceptions. Researchers conducted 252 face‑to‑face interviews, asking visitors about sounds, sights, safety, and benefits to assess factors affecting tranquillity. TRAPT predictions were satisfactory but could be refined by incorporating personal safety, and data revealed that visitors who felt more relaxed after visiting were more likely to rate overall tranquillity highly.

Abstract

A previous pilot study demonstrated the utility of a tranquillity prediction tool TRAPT for use in three green open spaces in a densely populated area. This allows the calculation of perceived levels of tranquillity in open spaces. The current study expands the range of sites to eight and, importantly, considers the views of visitors to these spaces. In total 252 face-to-face interviews were conducted in these spaces. An important aim of the survey was to determine the extent to which reported tranquillity obtained from the questionnaire survey could be predicted by a previously developed prediction tool TRAPT. A further aim was to determine what other factors may need to be considered in addition to the purely physical descriptors in TRAPT. The questions included the sounds and sights that were noticed, factors affecting tranquillity, as well as questions related to the benefits of visiting these areas. Predictions were considered satisfactory and could be improved further by taking account of issues surrounding personal safety. Examining the trends in these data, it was also shown that the percentage of people feeling more relaxed after visiting the spaces was closely related to overall assessments of perceived tranquillity. Further trends and their implications are presented and discussed.