ABSTRACT

The main aim of this approach is the study and the improvement of the relationship between the "aural space" and the living environment - the "soundscape" (Wrightson 2000). Sounds are seen here as mediators between humans, their activities and the environment. Depending on "acoustic colouration" from the larger environment (geography, climate, wind, water, people, buildings, animals etc.) sound sources create "meanings" to the exposed and block or enable human activities, thoughts, feelings. Therefore, sound quality assessment is based on both, the acoustical but also on other dimensions such as visual, aesthetic, geographic, social and cultural modalities in the context of human activity in space and time. The present study will describe the broad variety of approaches, present selected examples of current soundscape research and outline the utility of the soundscape approach for the assessment of noise annoyance at the community level in the context of environmental impact assessments and the requirements of current policy concepts (EU-directive on environmental noise and WHO-guidelines on community noise).