Editorial

8 pages, 647 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

by Jiang Liu, Xinhao Wang and Xinchen Hong

Forests 2024, 15(2), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15020333 - 08 Feb 2024

Viewed by 604

Green spaces, serving as crucial ecological infrastructure, offer numerous ecological system services and enhance human well-being, particularly in densely built environments [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

Research

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17 pages, 7118 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Audio–Visual Interaction on Physio-Psychological Recovery of Older Adults in Residential Public Space

by Shan Shu, Lingkang Meng, Xun Piao, Xuechuan Geng and Jiaxin Tang

Forests 2024, 15(2), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15020266 - 30 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 769

Abstract

It is now well established that everyday interaction with nature has a restorative potential on the elderly population’s health and well-being. However, empirical evidence on the restorative effects of neighborhood greenspace is still lacking, and scant attention has been given to the cross-effect [...] Read more.

It is now well established that everyday interaction with nature has a restorative potential on the elderly population’s health and well-being. However, empirical evidence on the restorative effects of neighborhood greenspace is still lacking, and scant attention has been given to the cross-effect of the visual–audio experience. The present study examined the restorative effects of audio–visual interactions on older adults in typical residential public spaces in Chinese cities. A pretest–post-test design was used to measure changes in participants’ physiological responses, mood states, and mental restoration. Participants (mean age = 68.88 years) were asked to experience six simulated audio–visual conditions (3 scenes × 2 sounds) of residential public space. The results showed that: (1) A green scene combined with nature sounds showed the most restorative effect on the elderly participants’ psycho-physiological health. (2) Viewing green scenes facilitated the most psycho-physiological recovery for the elderly, followed by viewing the activity scene. (3) Compared to the traffic noise, adding nature sounds could promote many more benefits in HR recovery, positive mood promotion, and perceived restorative effects, and the advantage of nature sounds over traffic noise was mainly demonstrated in the green scene. (4) Visual scenes demonstrated a greater impact on the elderly participants’ psycho-physiological recovery than the sounds. Our findings suggested the necessity of providing residential nature and activity spaces, encompassing both sound and vision, to promote healthy aging in Chinese residential contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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19 pages, 22895 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Distribution Analysis of Spatial Vitality of Specialized Garden Plant Landscapes during Spring: A Case Study of Hangzhou Botanical Garden in China

by Tian Liu, Bingyi Mi, Hai Yan, Zhiyi Bao, Renwu Wu and Shuhan Wang

Forests 2024, 15(1), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15010208 - 20 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 876

Abstract

Specialized gardens, as integral components of botanical gardens, bear multiple functions, encompassing plant collection and conservation, scientific research, and public education, as well as serving aesthetic and recreational purposes. Their quality profoundly reflects the landscape artistry of botanical gardens, directly influencing the quality [...] Read more.

Specialized gardens, as integral components of botanical gardens, bear multiple functions, encompassing plant collection and conservation, scientific research, and public education, as well as serving aesthetic and recreational purposes. Their quality profoundly reflects the landscape artistry of botanical gardens, directly influencing the quality of visitors’ enjoyment and the overall experience within the botanical garden. This study aims to investigate the spatial vitality of specialized garden plant landscapes, effectively assessing the usage patterns of plant landscape spaces and promoting the optimal utilization of underutilized spaces. Taking Hangzhou Botanical Garden as a case study, considering the warming climate and suitable temperatures in spring, when most plants enter the flowering period and outdoor visitor frequency increases, the primary observational period focuses on spring to measure the spatial vitality of specialized garden plant landscapes. We obtained data through field measurements and on-site observations. Specifically, We measured and recorded information on plant species, quantity, height, crown width, and growth conditions within the plots. Additionally, we employed ground observations and fixed-point photography to document visitor numbers and activity types. We quantified spatial vitality through four indicators: visitor density, space usage intensity, diversity of age group, and richness of activity type. We explored the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of spatial vitality and investigated the relationship between plant landscape characteristics and spatial vitality using variance analysis and correlation analysis. The results indicate that, in spring, the average spatial vitality index of specialized gardens ranks from highest to lowest as follows: Lingfeng Tanmei (1.403), Rosaceae Garden (1.245), Acer and Rhododendron Garden (0.449), and Osmanthus and Crape Myrtle Garden (0.437). Additionally, the spatial vitality of specialized garden plant landscapes in spring is significantly positively correlated with the ornamental period of specialized plants, characteristics of plant viewing, accessible lawn area, spatial accessibility, and spatial enclosure. Therefore, to create vibrant specialized plant landscapes, managers and planners, when engaging in the planning and design of specialized garden plant landscapes, need to fully consider and respect the visual aesthetics and functional needs of visitors. This study will serve as a theoretical reference for subsequent research on the vitality of plant landscape spaces and other small-scale spaces. It will also provide practical guidance for the construction of plant landscapes in specialized gardens within botanical gardens and other urban green spaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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23 pages, 13721 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Expanding the Associations between Landscape Characteristics and Aesthetic Sensory Perception for Traditional Village Public Space

by Guodong Chen, Jiayu Yan, Chongxiao Wang and Shuolei Chen

Forests 2024, 15(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15010097 - 04 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1102

Abstract

Traditional village landscapes have a cultural and regional significance, and the visual aesthetic quality of the landscape is widely regarded as a valuable resource to benefit the health and well-being of urban residents. Although the literature has analyzed the influential mechanism of landscape [...] Read more.

Traditional village landscapes have a cultural and regional significance, and the visual aesthetic quality of the landscape is widely regarded as a valuable resource to benefit the health and well-being of urban residents. Although the literature has analyzed the influential mechanism of landscape features on aesthetic senses, most were from a single dimension. To improve the precision of the landscape aesthetic evaluation method, this study expanded the indicators for landscape characteristics of public spaces in traditional villages by incorporating multiple dimensions, such as landscape visual attraction elements and landscape color. It explored their associations with sensory preferences in a case study in Dongshan (a peninsula) and Xishan (an island) of Taihu Lake. We used multi-source data, a semantic segmentation model, and R language to identify landscape characteristic indicators quantitatively. The research results indicated that the accuracy of the aesthetic sensory assessment model integrating multi-dimensional landscape characteristic indicators was significantly improved; in the open space of traditional villages, the public preferred a scenario with a high proportion of trees, relatively open space, mild and uniform color tones, suitability for movement, and the ability to produce a restorative and peaceful atmosphere. This study can provide a guarantee for the efficient use of village landscape resources, the optimization of rural landscapes, and the precise enhancement of traditional village habitat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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26 pages, 6137 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Forest Visitors’ Multisensory Perception and Restoration Effects: A Study of China’s National Forest Parks by Introducing Generative Large Language Model

by Yu Wei and Yueyuan Hou

Forests 2023, 14(12), 2412; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14122412 - 11 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 990

Abstract

Sensory perception of forests is closely related to human health and well-being. Based on attention recovery theory and stress relief theory, this paper investigates the influence of sensory perception of forests on visitors’ restoration effects from a multidimensional and multisensory perspective, integrating the [...] Read more.

Sensory perception of forests is closely related to human health and well-being. Based on attention recovery theory and stress relief theory, this paper investigates the influence of sensory perception of forests on visitors’ restoration effects from a multidimensional and multisensory perspective, integrating the use of a generative large language model, regression analysis, and semantic analysis. The results of the study show that (1) the application of a generative large language model provides new ideas and methods to solve the dilemma caused by the traditional self-report scale measurement and provides a possible way to explore a new research paradigm in the context of the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence; (2) the effects of each sensory quantity differed, with the sensory quantities of sight, hearing, touch, and taste having a significant positive effect on visitors’ restoration effects, and the sense of smell having a significant negative effect on visitors’ restoration effects; (3) sensory psychological distance partially had a significant effect on visitors’ restoration effects, both proximal psychological distance and distal psychological distance were significantly correlated with visitors’ restoration effects, and intermediate psychological distance had a negative effect on visitors’ restoration effects, but the effect was not significant; (4) the sensory dimension has a significant positive effect on visitors’ restoration effects, the integration and synergistic effect of the senses are enhanced, and multidimensional sensory cross-perception has a positive effect on visitors’ restoration effects at the social health level; and (5) the sensory elements of National Forest Parks that influence visitors’ restoration effects are mainly natural attributes, and the elements related to “people” also play an important role in visitors’ restoration effects. This study provides a useful complement to the study of forest sensory perception, and at the same time has an important reference value for exploring the management of forest recreation experience and sensory marketing practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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19 pages, 12290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Scale Effects of Landscape Pattern on Soundscape Perception in Residential Green Spaces

by Jiang Liu, Yi-Jun Huang, Zhu Chen and Xin-Chen Hong

Forests 2023, 14(12), 2323; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14122323 - 27 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 874

Abstract

Soundscape quality in green spaces of residential areas directly contributes to residents’ quality of life. It has close relationships with landscape characteristics, which should be considered in landscape planning and design processes in residential areas. Accordingly, this study proposed a new perspective on [...] Read more.

Soundscape quality in green spaces of residential areas directly contributes to residents’ quality of life. It has close relationships with landscape characteristics, which should be considered in landscape planning and design processes in residential areas. Accordingly, this study proposed a new perspective on the interrelationships between soundscape perception and landscape pattern on multi-scale, based on a case study of 30 residential green spaces in Fuzhou, China. Percentage of Landscape (PLAND), Patch Density (PD), Landscape Shape Index (LSI), and Patch cohesion index (COHESION) were utilized to represent the landscape pattern of vegetation, buildings, and roads in the residential areas. Soundscape perception was interpreted using the sound dominant degree (SDD) of sound sources and overall soundscape quality. The examined spatial scales range from 20 m to 180 m, with concentric circles spaced 20 m apart for each sampling point. Correlation analyses indicated that most landscape indices of vegetation and buildings were correlated with these soundscape perception indicators, while limited landscape indices of roads were associated with them. Based on the multi-scale landscape indices, multiple linear regression models for the SDD of sound sources and overall soundscape quality were established, confirming that the scale effect of landscape patterns can affect soundscape perception. Expressly, results indicated that these models were chiefly influenced by the landscape indices at a scale less than 120 m, but the scale effect of landscape pattern on the SDD of birdsong, pleasantness, and quietness was not so evident. Furthermore, we found that the number of explanatory variables may somewhat affect the model performance. The overall interpretability of these landscape indices for the SDD of sound sources was better than that of overall soundscape quality, implying the complexity of the latter. This study offers a fresh insight into the relationship between landscapes and soundscapes at varying scales. The findings can provide useful information for the promotion strategies of landscapes and soundscapes, especially in residential green spaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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22 pages, 6523 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predicting and Visualizing Human Soundscape Perception in Large-Scale Urban Green Spaces: A Case Study of the Chengdu Outer Ring Ecological Zone

by Yuting Yin, Yuhan Shao, Huilin Lu, Yiying Hao and Like Jiang

Forests 2023, 14(10), 1946; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14101946 - 25 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1018

Abstract

Human soundscape perceptions exist through the perceived environment rather than the physical environment itself and are determined not only by the acoustic environment but also by the visual environment and their interaction. However, these relationships have mainly been established at the individual level, [...] Read more.

Human soundscape perceptions exist through the perceived environment rather than the physical environment itself and are determined not only by the acoustic environment but also by the visual environment and their interaction. However, these relationships have mainly been established at the individual level, which may impede the efficient delivery of human-oriented considerations in improving the quality of large-scale urban spaces. Using the Chengdu Outer Ring Ecological Zone as an example, this study aims to develop an approach to predict human perceptions in large-scale urban green spaces. The site’s visual attributes, i.e., landscape composition, were calculated using space syntax and the quantum geographic information system (QGIS); its aural attributes, i.e., the sound level, were measured on site using a multi-channel signal analyzer; and its functional attributes, i.e., vitality, were documented through on-site observations and mapping. This was performed whilst obtaining people’s perceived soundscape through sound walks and a questionnaire-based on-site survey. The above environmental information was collected at micro-scale measurement spots selected within the site and then used together to formulate a model for predicting people’s soundscape perceptions in the whole site. The prediction results suggested that people’s perceived soundscape satisfaction increased as the distance from the ring road increased, and it gradually reached its highest level in the green spaces stretched outside the ring road. The prediction results of soundscape perception were then visualized using QGIS to develop planning and design implications, along with maps describing the site’s visual, aural, and functional features. Planning and design implications were suggested, including setting green buffers between noise sources and vulnerable areas; identifying and preserving areas with special visual and acoustic characteristics; employing sound shields around traffic facilities; and using natural landscapes to distract people’s attention from noise and to block their view of the source of noise. This study innovatively predicts individual-scale soundscape perception in large-scale UGSs based on environmental visual, aural, and functional characteristics through cross-level measurements, analyses, and model construction. By introducing a systematic perspective, the outcome of this study makes people’s soundscape perceptions more applicable in the planning and design practices of large-scale urban settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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16 pages, 14075 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Comfort Analysis and Optimization Strategies of Green Spaces in Chinese Traditional Settlements

by Yanyan Cheng, Ying Bao, Shengshuai Liu, Xiao Liu, Bin Li, Yuqing Zhang, Yue Pei, Zhi Zeng and Zhaoyu Wang

Forests 2023, 14(7), 1501; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14071501 - 22 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1213

Abstract

The spatial pattern of Weizi settlements features distinct regional characteristics. Moreover, it contains profound wisdom in terms of traditional construction; therefore, studies on its association with the microclimate have important implications for improving the quality of human settlements. In the present study, Guanweizi [...] Read more.

The spatial pattern of Weizi settlements features distinct regional characteristics. Moreover, it contains profound wisdom in terms of traditional construction; therefore, studies on its association with the microclimate have important implications for improving the quality of human settlements. In the present study, Guanweizi Village in the Xinyang City of Henan Province was used as an example to analyze and evaluate the thermal comfort of green spaces. The impact of peripheral water bodies on the thermal comfort of outdoor green spaces in the settlement was studied, and the association between the components of outdoor green spaces and physiological equivalent temperature as an indicator of thermal comfort was explored. Further, factors negatively affecting the thermal comfort of green spaces were analyzed through the grid method. Thermal comfort in the Weizi settlement is somewhat correlated with the coverage of water bodies, roads, soil, greening, and buildings. Increasing the water area and creating multi-level greening spaces are effective measures to improve the thermal comfort of green spaces in the settlement. Our findings provide a theoretical basis and a pioneering example for future practices of environment design for human settlements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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26 pages, 4538 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Soundscape Preferences of the Elderly in the Urban Forest Parks of Underdeveloped Cities in China

by Lei Luo, Qi Zhang, Yingming Mao, Yanyan Peng, Tao Wang and Jian Xu

Forests 2023, 14(6), 1266; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14061266 - 19 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1423

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the global aging trend, the proportion of the elderly population is severely increasing in the urban areas of underdeveloped regions. Despite evidence that urban forest parks are effective at enhancing the physical and mental well-being of the elderly, little [...] Read more.

Against the backdrop of the global aging trend, the proportion of the elderly population is severely increasing in the urban areas of underdeveloped regions. Despite evidence that urban forest parks are effective at enhancing the physical and mental well-being of the elderly, little has been done to investigate the connection between urban forest parks and the elderly in underdeveloped regions, and landscape studies in particular are lacking. This study attempted to address this gap, using a subjective evaluation method in which 725 elderly respondents were engaged in a questionnaire survey on their soundscape preferences in the urban forest parks of an underdeveloped city in China. The results revealed the elderly people’s preferences for soundscapes, and a further analysis demonstrated the relationships between these preferences and landscape features. The effects of personal traits and living situations on soundscape preferences were determined by analyzing the impacts of living conditions, occupation, and education on soundscape preferences. By building a model with regression coefficients, the most powerful factors influencing soundscape choice were investigated. It was found that (1) the types of sound sources preferred by the elderly, in descending order, were natural sound, livestock sound, bird song, musical sound, other sounds. (2) The differences among education, occupation, and age all affected the participants’ soundscape preferences, i.e., the mean values of the soundscape preferences among older adults varied with education, occupation, and age. The mean value of soundscape preference was higher among older adults who had received higher education, were government officials and business managers, and belonged to higher age groups. (3) Among the various factors influencing the soundscape preference of the elderly, the most influential factors were the length of time spent in the waterfront environment, the time spent in the forest park, and the importance of road signs. (4) The preference for soundscapes was strongly connected with happiness in life. (5) Wearing a mask significantly reduced soundscape perception scores under epidemic conditions, while vaccinated individuals were more tolerant of various noises. Recommendations for landscape design to improve the soundscape perception of elderly people are accordingly provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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16 pages, 2836 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Landscape Design Intensity and Its Associated Complexity of Forest Landscapes in Relation to Preference and Eye Movements

by Yuanping Shen, Qin Wang, Hongli Liu, Jianye Luo, Qunyue Liu and Yuxiang Lan

Forests 2023, 14(4), 761; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14040761 - 07 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1529

Abstract

Understanding how people perceive landscapes is essential for the design of forest landscapes. The study investigates how design intensity affects landscape complexity, preference, and eye movements for urban forest settings. Eight groups of twenty-four pictures, representing lawn, path, and waterscape settings in urban [...] Read more.

Understanding how people perceive landscapes is essential for the design of forest landscapes. The study investigates how design intensity affects landscape complexity, preference, and eye movements for urban forest settings. Eight groups of twenty-four pictures, representing lawn, path, and waterscape settings in urban forests, with each type of setting having two groups of pictures and one group having four pictures, were selected. The four pictures in each group were classified into slight, low, medium, and high design intensities. A total of 76 students were randomly assigned to observe one group of pictures within each type of landscape with an eye-tracking apparatus and give ratings of complexity and preference. The results indicate that design intensity was positively associated with subjective landscape complexity but was positively or negatively related to objective landscape complexity in three types of settings. Subjective landscape complexity was found to significantly contribute to visual preference across landscape types, while objective landscape complexity did not contribute to preference. In addition, the marginal effect of medium design intensity on preference was greater than that of low and high design intensity in most cases. Moreover, although some eye movement metrics were significantly related to preference in lawn settings, none were found to be indicative predictors for preference. The findings enrich research in visual preference and assist landscape designers during the design process to effectively arrange landscape design intensity in urban forests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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21 pages, 5645 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Landscape Elements on Public Psychology in Urban Park Waterfront Green Space: A Quantitative Study by Semantic Segmentation

by Junyi Li, Ziluo Huang, Dulai Zheng, Yujie Zhao, Peilin Huang, Shanjun Huang, Wenqiang Fang, Weicong Fu and Zhipeng Zhu

Forests 2023, 14(2), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14020244 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2708

Abstract

Urban park waterfront green spaces provide positive mental health benefits to the public. In order to further explore the specific influence mechanism between landscape elements and public psychological response, 36 typical waterfront green areas in Xihu Park and Zuohai Park in Gulou District, [...] Read more.

Urban park waterfront green spaces provide positive mental health benefits to the public. In order to further explore the specific influence mechanism between landscape elements and public psychological response, 36 typical waterfront green areas in Xihu Park and Zuohai Park in Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China, were selected for this study. We used semantic segmentation technology to quantitatively decompose the 36 scenes of landscape elements and obtained a public psychological response evaluation using virtual reality technology combined with questionnaire interviews. The main results showed that: (1) the Pyramid Scene Parsing Network (PSPNet) is a model suitable for quantitative decomposition of landscape elements of urban park waterfront green space; (2) the public’s overall evaluation of psychological responses to the 36 scenes was relatively high, with the psychological dimension scoring the highest; (3) different landscape elements showed significant differences in four dimensions. Among the elements, plant layer, pavement proportion, and commercial facilities all have an impact on the four dimensions; and (4) the contribution rate of the four element types to the public’s psychological response is shown as spatial element (37.9%) > facility element (35.1%) > natural element (25.0%) > construction element (2.0%). The obtained results reveal the influence of different landscape elements in urban park waterfront green spaces on public psychology and behavior. Meanwhile, it provides links and methods that can be involved in the planning and design of urban park waterfront green space, and also provides emerging technical support and objective data reference for subsequent research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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21 pages, 6388 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Harmonious Degree of Sound Sources Influencing Visiting Experience in Kulangsu Scenic Area, China

by Xuan Guo, Jiang Liu, Zhu Chen and Xin-Chen Hong

Forests 2023, 14(1), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14010138 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1858

Abstract

Soundscapes are important resources and contribute to high-quality visiting experiences in scenic areas. Based on a public investigation of 195 interviewees in the Kulangsu scenic area, this study aimed to explore the relationships between the harmonious degree of sound sources (SHD) and visiting [...] Read more.

Soundscapes are important resources and contribute to high-quality visiting experiences in scenic areas. Based on a public investigation of 195 interviewees in the Kulangsu scenic area, this study aimed to explore the relationships between the harmonious degree of sound sources (SHD) and visiting experience indicators, in terms of soundscape perception, as well as the satisfaction degree of visual landscape and comprehensive impression. The results suggested that the dominating positions of human sounds did not totally suppress the perception of natural sounds such as birdsong and sea waves in the scenic area. Natural sound sources also showed a higher harmonious degree than other artificial sounds. Significant relationships existed between the SHD of most sound sources and the visiting experience indicators. Natural sounds were closely related to pleasant and comfortable soundscape perception, while mechanical sound sources were mainly related to eventful and varied soundscapes. The close relationships between certain sound sources and the satisfaction degree of the visual landscape and comprehensive impression evaluation indicated the effectiveness of audio-visual and even multi-sensory approaches to enhance visiting experience. The structural equation model further revealed that (1) natural sound was the most influential sound source of soundscape and visual landscape perception; (2) human sounds and mechanical sounds all showed significant positive effects on soundscape perception; and (3) indirect relationships could exist in the SHD of sound sources with comprehensive impression evaluation. The results can facilitate targeted soundscape and landscape management and landsense creation with the aim of improving visiting experience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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28 pages, 4621 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Soundscape Evaluation in Forest-Type and Urban-Type Han Chinese Buddhist Temples

by Dongxu Zhang, Xueliu Liu and Wei Mo

Forests 2023, 14(1), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14010079 - 01 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1723

Abstract

Soundscapes are one of the main means of creating a religious atmosphere in Han Chinese Buddhist temples, which are the most important religious sites in China. This paper selected several representative forest-type and urban-type Han Chinese Buddhist temples and employed a questionnaire and [...] Read more.

Soundscapes are one of the main means of creating a religious atmosphere in Han Chinese Buddhist temples, which are the most important religious sites in China. This paper selected several representative forest-type and urban-type Han Chinese Buddhist temples and employed a questionnaire and sound level measurement methods to conduct a comparative analysis of four aspects of acoustic environment evaluation, i.e., quietness, comfort, harmony, and sound preference, to identify and compare the characteristics of respondents’ soundscape evaluation in these two types of temples. The results showed that compared with urban-type temples, respondents found the acoustic environment in forest-type temples to be quieter, more comfortable and more harmonious with the religious atmosphere. The sound level, measured with the questionnaire and respondents’ social characteristics, such as age, occupation, level of education, purpose and frequency of visiting the temples, and attitude towards Buddhist thought, influenced their soundscape evaluation of urban-type and forest-type temples to different degrees. Among the various kinds of sounds in the temple, natural sounds, such as the sounds of flowing water, birds and insects, and rustling leaves, were preferred in forest-type temples, while Buddhism-related human-made sounds, including chanting and background music, were preferred in urban-type temples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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18 pages, 3394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Spatial Characteristics and Visual and Smell Environments on the Soundscape of Waterfront Space in Mountainous Cities

by Bingzhi Zhong, Hui Xie, Tian Gao, Ling Qiu, Heng Li and Zhengkai Zhang

Forests 2023, 14(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14010010 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1949

Abstract

The soundscape of waterfront space in mountainous cities (WSMC) can affect people’s physical and mental health. Taking seven WSMCs in Chongqing, China, as the study area, this study aimed to investigate the soundscape and explore the influence of spatial characteristics and visual and [...] Read more.

The soundscape of waterfront space in mountainous cities (WSMC) can affect people’s physical and mental health. Taking seven WSMCs in Chongqing, China, as the study area, this study aimed to investigate the soundscape and explore the influence of spatial characteristics and visual and smell environments on the soundscape of WSMCs through a sensewalking approach. The results show that the soundscape evaluations of WSMCs are of poor quality, and traffic sounds are dominant (33%). Among spatial characteristics, the position relative to the road (including vertical and horizontal distances) had a greater impact than other spatial indicators on soundscape evaluations. Elevation was positively correlated with the A-weighted equivalent sound level (L_Aeq) and negatively correlated with the soundscape comfort degree (SCD). In terms of visual elements, the proportions of paved ground, pedestrians, and buildings had negative effects on the soundscape, while those of the sky, water, and natural terrain had positive effects. High visual and smell environment quality can enhance soundscape evaluations, although the smell environment had a greater impact on the SCD than the visual environment in WSMCs. Finally, this study summarizes the recommended values of spatial characteristics and visual and smell environment indicators to put forward references for the soundscape design of WSMCs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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