Search Results (396)

Sensory heritage encompasses culturally valued practices, rituals, and everyday activities experienced through the senses. While sight often dominates, hearing and smelling are generally more immersive and pervasive. Soundscape research is a well-established field within urban studies; however, smellscape remains insufficiently recognised. This study is part of Multimodal Hong Kong, a project aimed at documenting sensory cultural heritage across the city by capturing the complex interplay between soundscape, smellscape, urban experiences, everyday activities, and memory. We investigated the multisensory environment at Wong Tai Sin Temple through acoustic measurements and perceptual ratings of soundscape and smellscape across 197 locations within and around the site. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with visitors (N = 54, 15,015 words of transcript), which were analysed using content analysis and natural language processing. The results indicate that elevated noise levels mainly arise from human voices and pipe music within the temple compound, as well as traffic noise in the surrounding area. The smell of incense dominates near the temple altars, whereas natural, grassy odours prevail in the adjacent park. Interview responses confirm that incense burning constitutes a traditional religious practice forming a distinctive olfactory marker for Chinese temples, but it is also perceived as having adverse health implications. This study contributes to the growing body of sensory heritage research, underscoring the importance of both soundscape and smellscape in fostering culturally inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable urban environments. Full article

In response to the growing urban–rural dichotomy and escalating human–land conflicts in rural China, this study investigates the role of soundscapes as emotional mediators to enhance environmental satisfaction and foster sustainable human–land symbiosis. To address this need, we carried out a series of systematic field surveys at five representative traditional villages in a major provincial capital city in China, and we implemented a comprehensive questionnaire and surveyed 524 residents about their perceptions of sound, land affection, and environment. We employed a mixed-methods approach combining questionnaire surveys, association rule mining (ARM), and structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the ‘sound–land–environment’ interaction chain. ARM analysis identified strong associations among tour guide narratives, local dialects, natural sounds (e.g., rustling leaves, birdsong), and tourist-generated sounds (support = 50%, confidence = 78%, lift = 1.33). SEM results revealed that soundscapes significantly and positively influence land dependence (β = 0.952, p < 0.001) and land rootedness (β = 1.812, p < 0.001), which in turn jointly affect environmental satisfaction (β = –0.192, p = 0.027) through a chain mediation pathway. These findings suggest that optimizing rural soundscapes can strengthen emotional bonds between people and land, thereby enhancing environmental satisfaction and promoting performance of sustainable human–land symbiosis. The study contributes theoretically by elucidating the emotional mechanisms linking soundscapes to human–land relationships and offers insights for incorporating soundscape considerations into village planning and developing policies to cultivate land attachment, supporting the sustainable development of traditional villages. Full article

To explore the relationship between features of pocket parks and restorative effects, this paper conducted a systematic review and synthesized existing empirical literature. Following the PRISMA guidelines, six databases were searched using keywords related to pocket parks and restorative outcomes. A total of 19 articles were identified. Results indicate that: (1) Research shows distinct regional phases, shifting from Northern European dominance to Asian leadership (particularly China) post-2019, with notable gaps in South America and Africa. (2) Current studies predominantly rely on cross-sectional designs and subjective assessments. (3) While existing research has evolved from initial investigations into visual landscapes and infrastructure in relation to restorative effects, expanding to encompass soundscapes and topographical dimensions, critical dimensions including nocturnal environments and intelligent technologies remain underexplored within pocket park studies. (4) Evidence confirms plant diversity, natural aesthetics, open views, enclosed boundaries, and moderate soundscapes enhance restoration, whereas excessive hardscapes and dense recreational facilities reduce effectiveness. Full article

Since the early 2000s, Malaysian Chinese independent cinema has garnered international recognition, with James Lee emerging as one of its most influential figures. Distinct from many of his contemporaries, Lee’s films feature a unique sound design that plays a pivotal role in articulating cultural identity. This study, grounded in in-depth interviews with the director, investigates how sound aesthetics function as a vital medium for cultural expression. In the postcolonial context of Malaysia, sound is revealed not merely as a narrative device but as a complex tool of cultural translation. Lee’s creative practice exemplifies what this study terms a “sound-driven non-conscious cultural expression”, wherein surreal sound treatments and multilingual environments construct an aesthetic that is both locally rooted and transnational in scope. By drawing upon sound theory and theories of cultural identity, this research uncovers the significance of sound aesthetics in multicultural contexts, offering new perspectives for film and cultural studies alike. Full article

Acoustic sound-based condition monitoring (ASCM) systems, which typically utilize machine learning algorithms on established audio features, have demonstrated effectiveness under controlled conditions. However, their application in real-world industrial environments presents significant challenges due to complex and variable soundscapes with high noise and limited fault data. The presence of random interfering sounds and variability in operating conditions can lead to lower performance and high false-positive rates. To overcome these limitations, we propose a fault detection method that leverages the underlying physical characteristics of the sound signals. By investigating the components of the acoustic signal, we found that fault-related sounds can be modeled as exponentially decaying oscillations. This insight allows for the development of a physically based signal model, setting our approach apart from purely data-driven methods. Using this model, we developed a robust detection method based on a Generalized Likelihood Ratio Test (GLRT). The effectiveness of this approach was validated using both synthetic and real-world data from a steel industry facility. Our results demonstrate that the proposed model-based approach provides superior performance compared to standard audio features, particularly in high-noise conditions. On real-world data, the GLRT-based approach outperformed all audio features, as clearly shown by the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. Specifically, the Partial Area Under the Curve (pAUC) of the GLRT is more than twice that of the best-performing audio feature, demonstrating good detection at significantly lower-false-positive rates compared to audio features. Furthermore, simulations showed that our method maintains robust detection down to a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of −13 $\mathrm{dB}$, significantly outperforming audio feature-based detection, which was limited to approximately −10 $\mathrm{dB}$. The physically informed nature of our model not only provides a more reliable and robust solution but also enables the method to be generalized to other industrial scenarios with similar fault properties, offering broader applicability for reliable acoustic condition monitoring. Full article

Biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in high-density forest urban areas have attracted growing attention and are increasingly recognized as critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). University campus forests, functioning as ecological islands, possess unique acoustic characteristics and play a vital role in supporting urban biodiversity. In this case study, acoustic monitoring was conducted over the course of a full year to objectively reveal the ecological patterns across temporal scales of the campus sound environment, by combining acoustic indices’ visualization combined with statistical analysis. The findings indicate (1) the existence of ecological sound patterns across different temporal scales, closely associated with phenological cycles; (2) the identification of the specific timing affected by the different species‘ activities, such as the breeding season of birds, the chirping time of cicadas and other insects, as well as the fluctuations in the intensity of human activities, and (3) the development of a methodological framework integrating a visualization technique with statistical analysis to enhance the understanding of long-term ecological dynamics. The results offer a foundation for promoting the sustainable conservation of campus biodiversity in high-density urban settings. Full article

The impact of soundscapes in religious architecture on public psychology has garnered increasing attention in both research and policy domains. However, the mechanisms by which temple soundscapes influence public emotions remain scientifically unclear. This paper aims to explore how soundscapes in temple architectures designated as World Natural and Cultural Heritage sites affect visitors’ experiences. Considering visitors with diverse social and demographic backgrounds, the research design includes subjective soundscape evaluations and EEG measurements from 193 visitors at two World Heritage temples. The results indicate that visitors’ religious beliefs primarily affect their soundscape perception, while their soundscape preferences show specific correlations with chanting and human voices. Furthermore, compared to males, females exhibit greater sensitivity to emotional variations induced by soundscape experiences. Urban architects can enhance visitors’ positive emotional experiences by integrating soundscape design into the planning of future religious architectures, thereby creating pleasant acoustic environments. Full article

Indoor soundscape is a relatively new and developing field compared to urban soundscape in practice. To address this gap, this study aims to identify the key influencing factors as a first step of the indoor soundscape intervention approach. The study employed a two-phase methodology. Phase one involved a Systematic Review (SR) of the literature, conducted through the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, to collate data on the influencing factors and intervention criteria of the indoor soundscape approach. Searching was conducted using two databases, Web of Science and Scopus. As a result of the search, a total of 29 studies were included in the review. The review included studies addressing the soundscape influencing factors and theoretical frameworks. Studies that did not address these criteria were excluded. Phase two comprised the application of the Grounded Theory (GT) coding process to organize, categorize, and merge the data collected in phase one. As a result of the coding process, three levels of categories were achieved; L1: key concept, L2: overarching category, L3: core category. Four core categories were identified as ‘Sound’, ‘People’, ‘Building’, and ‘Environment’ by proposing the Indoor Soundscape Intervention (ISI) criteria. The repeatable and updatable nature of the proposed method allows it to be adapted to further studies and different contexts/cases. Full article

Ensuring a sustainable and healthy human environment in university dormitories is essential for students’ learning, living, and overall health and well-being. To address this need, we carried out a series of systematic field measurements of the noise levels at 30 dormitories in three representative major urban universities in a major provincial capital city in China and designed and implemented a comprehensive questionnaire and surveyed 1005 students about their perceptions of their acoustic environment. We proposed and applied a sustainability–health-oriented, multidimensional assessment framework to assess the acoustic environment of the dormitories and student responses to natural sound, technological sounds, and human-made sounds. Using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach combined with the field measurements and student surveys, we identified three categories and six factors on student health and well-being for assessing the acoustic environment of university dormitories. The field data indicated that noise levels at most of the measurement points exceeded the recommended or regulatory thresholds. Higher noise impacts were observed in early mornings and evenings, primarily due to traffic noise and indoor activities. Natural sounds (e.g., wind, birdsong, water flow) were highly valued by students for their positive effect on the students’ pleasantness and satisfaction. Conversely, human and technological sounds (traffic noise, construction noise, and indoor noise from student activities) were deemed highly disturbing. Gender differences were evident in the assessment of the acoustic environment, with male students generally reporting higher levels of the pleasantness and preference for natural sounds compared to female students. Educational backgrounds showed no significant influence on sound perceptions. The findings highlight the need for providing actionable guidelines for dormitory ecological design, such as integrating vertical greening in dormitory design, water features, and biodiversity planting to introduce natural soundscapes, in parallel with developing campus activity standards and lifestyle during noise-sensitive periods. The multidimensional assessment framework will drive a sustainable human–ecology–sound symbiosis in university dormitories, and the category and factor scales to be employed and actions to improve the level of student health and well-being, thus, providing a reference for both research and practice for sustainable cities and communities. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic’s rapid shift to working from home has fundamentally challenged residential acoustic design, which traditionally prioritises rest and relaxation rather than sustained concentration. However, a clear gap exists in understanding how acoustic needs and the subjective evaluation of soundscape appropriateness (SA) differ between these conflicting activities within the same domestic space. Addressing this gap, this study reveals critical differences in how people experience and evaluate home soundscapes during work versus relaxation activities in the same residential spaces. Through an online survey of 247 Chinese participants during lockdown, we assessed soundscape perception attributes, the perceived saliencies of various sound types, and soundscape appropriateness (SA) ratings while working and relaxing at home. Our findings demonstrate that working at home creates a more demanding acoustic context: participants perceived indoor soundscapes as significantly less comfortable and less full of content when working compared to relaxing (p < 0.001), with natural sounds becoming less noticeable (−13.3%) and distracting household sounds more prominent (+7.5%). Structural equation modelling revealed distinct influence mechanisms: while comfort significantly mediates SA enhancement in both activities, the effect is stronger during relaxation (R² = 0.18). Critically, outdoor man-made noise, building-service noise, and neighbour sounds all negatively impact SA during work, with neighbour sounds showing the largest detrimental effect (total effect size = −0.17), whereas only neighbour sounds and outdoor man-made noise significantly disrupt relaxation activities. Additionally, natural sounds act as a positive factor during relaxation. These results expose a fundamental mismatch: existing residential acoustic environments, designed primarily for rest, fail to support the cognitive demands of work activities. This study provides evidence-based insights for acoustic design interventions, emphasising the need for activity-specific soundscape considerations in residential spaces. As hybrid work arrangements become the norm post-pandemic, our findings highlight the urgency of reimagining residential acoustic design to accommodate both focused work and restorative relaxation within the same home. Full article

This study introduces an algorithm for quantifying oceanic wind speed and identifying sound sources in the local underwater soundscape. Utilizing low-complexity metrics like one-minute spectral kurtosis and power spectral density levels, the algorithm categorizes different soundscapes and estimates wind speed. It detects rain, vessels, fin and blue whales, as well as clicks and whistles from dolphins. Positioned as a foundational tool for implementing the Ocean Sound Essential Ocean Variable (EOV), it contributes to understanding long-term trends in climate change for sustainable ocean health and predicting threats through forecasts. The proposed soundscape classification algorithm, validated using extensive acoustic recordings (≥32 kHz) collected at various depths and latitudes, demonstrates high performance, achieving an average precision of $89\%$ and an average recall of $86.59\%$ through optimized parameter tuning via a genetic algorithm. Here, wind speed is determined using a cubic function with power spectral density (PSD) at 6 kHz and the MASLUW method, exhibiting strong agreement with satellite data below 15 m/s. Designed for compatibility with low-power electronics, the algorithm can be applied to both archival datasets and real-time data streams. It provides a straightforward metric for ocean monitoring and sound source identification. Full article

The ongoing decline in global biodiversity constitutes a critical challenge for environmental science, necessitating the prompt development of effective monitoring frameworks and conservation protocols to safeguard the structure and function of natural ecosystems. Recent progress in ecoacoustic monitoring, supported by advances in artificial intelligence, might finally offer scalable tools for systematic biodiversity assessment. In this study, we evaluate the performance of BirdNET, a state-of-the-art deep learning model for avian sound recognition, in the context of selected bird species characteristic of the Italian Alpine region. To this end, we assemble a comprehensive, manually annotated audio dataset targeting key regional species, and we investigate a variety of strategies for model adaptation, including fine-tuning with data augmentation techniques to enhance recognition under challenging recording conditions. As a baseline, we also develop and evaluate a simple Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) trained exclusively on our domain-specific dataset. Our findings indicate that BirdNET performance can be greatly improved by fine-tuning the pre-trained network with data collected within the specific regional soundscape, outperforming both the original BirdNET and the baseline CNN by a significant margin. These findings underscore the importance of environmental adaptation and data variability for the development of automated ecoacoustic monitoring devices while highlighting the potential of deep learning methods in supporting conservation efforts and informing soundscape management in protected areas. Full article

The acoustic environment of dental clinics plays a critical role in shaping patient experience, staff performance, and overall clinical effectiveness. This comprehensive review, supported by systematic search procedures, investigates how soundscapes in dental settings influence psychological, physiological, and operational outcomes. A total of 60 peer-reviewed studies were analyzed across dental, healthcare, architectural, and environmental psychology disciplines. Findings indicate that mechanical noise from dental instruments, ambient reverberation, and inadequate acoustic zoning contribute significantly to patient anxiety and professional fatigue. The review identifies emerging strategies for acoustic optimization, including biophilic and sustainable design principles, sound-masking systems, and adaptive sound environments informed by artificial intelligence. Special attention is given to the integration of lean management and circular economy practices for sustainable dental architecture. A design checklist and practical framework are proposed for use by dental professionals, architects, and healthcare planners. Although limited by the predominance of observational studies and geographic bias in the existing literature, this review offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary synthesis. It highlights the need for future clinical trials, real-time acoustic assessments, and participatory co-design methods to enhance acoustic quality in dental settings. Overall, the study positions sound design as a foundational element in creating patient-centered, ecologically responsible dental environments. Full article

Recent advances in passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) have markedly improved the ability to study marine soundscapes by enabling long-term, non-invasive monitoring of biological sounds across large spatial and temporal scales. Among aquatic organisms, fish are primary contributors to biophony, producing sounds associated with feeding, reproduction, and social behavior. However, the majority of previous research has focused on individual vocalizations, with limited attention to collective acoustic phenomena such as fish choruses. This study quantitatively analyzes choruses produced by the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis), an ecologically and commercially important species in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. Using power spectral density (PSD) analysis, we examined long-term underwater recordings from a sea cage containing approximately 2000 adult small yellow croakers. The choruses were centered around ~600 Hz and exhibited sound pressure levels 15–20 dB higher at night than during the day. These findings highlight the ecological relevance of fish choruses and support their potential use as indicators of biological activity. This study lays the foundation for incorporating fish choruses into soundscape-based PAM frameworks to enhance biodiversity and habitat monitoring. Full article

Growing concern over anthropogenic underwater noise, highlighted by initiatives like the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and its Technical Group on Underwater Noise (TG Noise), emphasizes regions like the Western Black Sea, where increasing activities threaten marine habitats. This region is experiencing rapid growth in maritime traffic and resource exploitation, which is intensifying concerns over the noise impacts on its unique marine habitats. While machine learning offers promising solutions, a research gap persists in comprehensively evaluating diverse ML models within an integrated framework for complex underwater acoustic data, particularly concerning real-world data limitations like class imbalance. This paper addresses this by presenting a multi-faceted framework using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) data from fixed locations (50–100 m depth). Acoustic data are processed using advanced signal processing (broadband Sound Pressure Level (SPL), Power Spectral Density (PSD)) for feature extraction (Mel-spectrograms for deep learning; PSD statistical moments for classical/unsupervised ML). The framework evaluates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Random Forest, and Support Vector Machines (SVMs) for noise event classification, alongside Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs) for anomaly detection. Our results demonstrate that the CNN achieved the highest classification accuracy of 0.9359, significantly outperforming Random Forest (0.8494) and SVM (0.8397) on the test dataset. These findings emphasize the capability of deep learning in automatically extracting discriminative features, highlighting its potential for enhanced automated underwater acoustic monitoring. Full article