Spaces & Flows: Ninth International Conference on Urban and ExtraUrban Studies

Abstract

Sound is a natural property of ecosystems and urban spaces; however, human-made noise poses an increasing threat to both wildlife and humans. Mapping noise is an attenuation strategy enacted by the European Union’s Environmental Noise Directive that requires member states to develop noise maps for urban areas. Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of noise through the maps identifies when and where attenuation measures can have the greatest impact. Similarly, mapping desirable components of the acoustic environment (e.g., biological sounds such as bird calls) could also be effective for promoting urban design that leads to healthier spaces for humans and reduces noise impacts to surrounding ecosystems. Towards this goal, we mapped the acoustic environment across an urban-rural gradient in Innsbruck, Austria, which varies from a densely-developed urban center to a sparsely-developed rural landscape bordered by large natural areas. We repeatedly recorded the acoustic environment at 30 locations during the spring of 2016 and modeled natural sound (biophony) separately from, and in addition to, the total sound level. We found a strong relationship between the acoustic environment and land cover properties that could be used to create holistic sound maps across other urban areas. As urban areas grow, improved sound mapping techniques will help planners proactively design with better soundscapes in mind.