Conference_programme: 20: Soundscapes
Lecture: Association between objectively-measured greenspace and noise annoyance: Noise reduction and perceived greenspace as putative mediators
Author(s): Dzhambov Angel, Markevych Iana, Tilov Boris , Arabadzhiev Zlatoslav, Stoyanov Drozdstoj, Gatseva Penka , Dimitrova Donka
Summary:
Urban vegetation may have the potential to buffer both sound wave propagation and the negative psychological reactions to residential noise (i.e., noise annoyance). In the present study, we aimed to examine the association between greenspace and combined noise annoyance due to different sources, and to determine to what extent the effect of objectively-measured greenspace was mediated by noise exposure and perceived greenspace in the neighborhood. We sampled 720 young adults (18 – 35 years) from the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. We collected data on greenspace in the neighborhood (derived using GIS and self-reports), noise exposure (calculated by a land use regression model), and mean of annoyances due to (1) transportation and (2) neighborhood noise sources in the living environment. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the association of greenspace with noise annoyance. Higher surrounding greenspace was associated with lower noise annoyance through two equally important indirect paths working in parallel: through lower noise exposure and through higher perceived greenspace. Interventions aimed at reducing noise annoyance may consider the potential of vegetation to reduce noise annoyance not only through acoustic mitigation of noise exposure, but also through psychological mechanisms.
Corresponding author
Name: Dr Angel Dzhambov
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Country: Bulgaria
