Noise in Cities

Past research focused on noise level (measured in decibels) and people's responses.

Noise ‘maps’

–show that the highest noise levels are usually found on roads–do not show other sources of noise, e.g. when windows are open or people's neighbours are in their 31–ignore variation in people's perceptions of noise–have made people realize that the noise is a 32 issue that must be dealt with

Problems caused by noise

–sleep disturbance–increase in amount of stress–effect on the 33 of schoolchildren

Different types of noise

Some noises can be considered pleasant e.g. the sound of a 34 in a townTo investigate this, researchers may use methods from 35 sciences e.g. questionnairesWhat people wantPlenty of activity in urban environments which are 36 , but also allow people to relaxBut architects and town planners–do not get much 37 in acoustics–regard sound as the responsibility of engineers

Understanding sound as an art form

We need to know–how sound relates to 38–what can be learnt from psychology about the effects of sound–whether physics can help us understand the 39 of soundVirtual reality programs–advantage: predict the effect of buildings–current disadvantage: they are 40