Towards a Better Future for Urban Acoustics Environments: Insights into Noise Pollution and Mitigation Measures

Dear Colleagues,

Urban environments are increasingly burdened by noise pollution, which adversely affects the health and well-being of residents as traffic, construction activities, industrial operations, and other anthropogenic sources contribute significantly to urban noise levels. This Special Issue aims to explore innovative solutions and strategies to mitigate noise pollution in urban areas, thereby improving the quality of life of residents and fostering sustainable urban development.

In addition to controlling noise pollution, there is growing recognition of the importance of designing and creating pleasant soundscapes. A soundscape refers to the acoustic environment as perceived and understood by individuals, emphasizing the quality and aesthetic experience of sound in a particular space. The integration of soundscape design into urban planning can enhance the acoustic environment, contributing to the overall well-being and satisfaction of urban dwellers.

The integration of cutting-edge technologies such as the internet of things (IoT), big data, and artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense potential for addressing noise pollution and soundscape design. IoT devices can provide real-time monitoring and data collection, enabling a detailed analysis of noise patterns and soundscapes; big data analytics can uncover insights from vast amounts of noise-related data, helping in the development of targeted mitigation strategies and the design of better acoustic environments; and AI can be used to model noise propagation, predict future noise levels, and optimize noise reduction measures while also enhancing the design of soundscapes to create more pleasant urban acoustic environments.

This Special Issue seeks to gather research and case studies that highlight the application of these advanced technologies in urban acoustic management and soundscape design. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of current challenges and showcase effective solutions to create quieter, healthier, and more aesthetically pleasing urban environment.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• New trends in urban noise sources and health impacts;
• IoT-based soundscape monitoring systems;
• Big data analytics in noise pollution control and soundscape design and evaluation;
• AI for noise sources and soundscape modeling, classification, and prediction;
• New trends in architectural and urban planning solutions to reduce noise pollution and enhance soundscapes;
• Policy and regulation;
• Community engagement and public awareness.

By addressing these potential topics, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current research and practical solutions in the field of urban acoustics, noise pollution control, and soundscape design, contributing to the creation of more sustainable and livable urban environments.

Dr. Juan Miguel Navarro
Prof. Dr. Massimiliano Masullo
Guest Editors

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• urban noise pollution
• soundscape design
• noise mitigation
• internet of things (IoT)
• big data analytics
• artificial intelligence (AI)
• acoustic environments
• health impacts
• sustainable urban development
• real-time noise monitoring