Sustainable Soundscapes: Noise Policy and the Urban Experience

TLDR

Regulatory components in European and UK noise policy shape urban soundscapes, and factors such as context, source, distance, temporariness, and control over noise influence whether people want particular sounds eliminated, highlighting the importance of individual experience in assessing soundscapes. The study aims to introduce regulatory components and Schafer’s terminology—keynote sounds, soundmarks, and sound signals—to articulate experienced soundscapes and challenge conventional noise‑abatement strategies that risk homogenising place. Drawing on soundscape ecology, the authors demonstrate a method to reconcile divergent positions. Interviews in Clerkenwell reveal that people value more than just noise levels, and that articulating soundscapes with Schafer’s terminology can challenge noise‑abatement approaches that risk homogenising place.

Abstract

This paper introduces regulatory components influencing city soundscapes in Europe and the UK, illustrating the abatement approach taken within noise policy, demonstrating the importance of individual experience in assessing the soundscapes of urban environments and identifying a terminology to facilitate an introduction of soundscapes into the planning process. Drawing on work from soundscape ecology, a way is demonstrated to coalesce these divergent positions. Reviewing interviews undertaken in Clerkenwell, the paper demonstrates that it is not simply noise levels that are important to people in an urban area. Context, source, distance, temporariness and control over noise, are all relevant to whether people would want to see a particular sound eliminated from their soundscape. Using Schafer's terminology 'keynote sounds', 'soundmarks' and 'sound signals', a rationale is proposed through which experienced soundscapes may be articulated, challenging the strategy of noise abatement which could produce a conformity of soundscape that homogenises place and dissolves local uniqueness.