Evaluating the University Campus Soundscape: The Case of Tianjin University

Invited paper

Kang Sun

Ghent University

Tuesday 2 june, 2015, 17:20 - 17:40

0.6 Madrid (49)

Abstract:
The university campus outside environment occupies an important position in the daily life of students, providing a place to relax and restore psychologically, to study and to perform social activities. A fitting soundscape therefore contributes to the mental well-being of students and may help to foster academic performance. Proper ways to evaluate the quality of a university campus soundscape, taking into account acoustical and perceptual aspects, are essential. This paper reports on the results of a soundscape study performed on the Qilitai campus of Tianjin University, China. As a first step, the distribution of sound levels over the campus was investigated on the basis of sound measurements at various locations on the campus, during all periods of the day. Sound maps helped to delimit black spots on the campus. As a second step, a perception study was performed among university students. Individual soundwalks through the campus were carried out during which, at several locations, participants had to fill in small questionnaires. The latter contained questions on sounds that were identified and on cognitive and affective judgments of the soundscape. Results of this survey are presented in this paper, and suggestions for improvement of the campus soundscape are formulated.

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