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The Effects of Soundscape Interactions on the Restorative Potential of Urban Green Spaces

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  • Xinhui Fei

    (College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
    Faculty of Forestry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Yuanjing Wu

    (College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China)

  • Jianwen Dong

    (College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China)

  • Deyi Kong

    (College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China)

Abstract

From the perspective of landscape environment and human health, this study introduces the concept of soundscape from soundscape ecology. Through two experiments evaluating the restorative properties of soundscapes, it analyzes and compares the differences in restorative benefits among various sounds in urban green spaces. The study further explores the effects of single soundscapes and combined soundscape types on environmental restorative benefits and provides recommendations for creating restorative soundscapes in urban green spaces. The main findings of this study are as follows: (1) Sound types significantly influence soundscape restorative benefits, with notable interactions observed among three single soundscape categories. Significant differences were also found in the restorative effects of different combined soundscapes. (2) The most restorative sounds for anthropogenic, biophonic, and geophonic soundscapes are light background music (1.4193), bird sounds (1.9890), and flowing water sounds (1.2691), respectively. The least restorative sounds are vehicle noise (−2.6210), conversation sounds (−0.8788), and thunder sounds (−0.7840). (3) Significant differences exist between the restorative effects of single and multi-level combined soundscapes. Except for bird sounds, the general restorative pattern is as follows: two-level combined soundscapes > three-level combined soundscapes > single soundscapes.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinhui Fei & Yuanjing Wu & Jianwen Dong & Deyi Kong, 2025. "The Effects of Soundscape Interactions on the Restorative Potential of Urban Green Spaces," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2674-:d:1614662
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marcus Hedblom & Bengt Gunnarsson & Martin Schaefer & Igor Knez & Pontus Thorsson & Johan N. Lundström, 2019. "Sounds of Nature in the City: No Evidence of Bird Song Improving Stress Recovery," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Abimbola Asojo & Fullah Hazazi, 2025. "Biophilic Design Strategies and Indoor Environmental Quality: A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-21, February.
    3. Francesco Aletta & Tin Oberman & Jian Kang, 2018. "Associations between Positive Health-Related Effects and Soundscapes Perceptual Constructs: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-15, October.
    4. Michelle C. Kondo & Jaime M. Fluehr & Thomas McKeon & Charles C. Branas, 2018. "Urban Green Space and Its Impact on Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-28, March.
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