Soundscape quality assessment in Naghshe Jahan square

Sound, as a non-visual component of landscape, has a significant impact on an individual’s perception of space. Lack of attention to quality of the sounds emitted in the environment may lead to problems such as noise pollution, lack of concentration, noise annoyance, disturbance and lack of privacy when people have a conversation in the urban spaces. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of soundscape in Naghshe Jahan square. The lead question of the study was: ‘How is the sonic quality at different areas according to the sound maps?’ To answer this, soundwalk and in-situ sound assessment methods were adopted to determine people’s perception about pleasantness of sounds and physical quality of soundscape. Indicators of LAeq and Lden were evaluated via St-8851 Sound Level Meter. Field sound metering was done. In order to cover all noise events and acoustic conditions, three temporal frames - day time (07-19), evening (19-22), night (22-07) - were selected. All field studies were done in winter of 2016. Collected data were entered into the GIS map, and noise maps were produced. Results from the questionnaires showed that the most unpleasant sounds were motorcycles, cars, and handcarts, and the most pleasant one was the water sound. Results showed that in some locations such as around the central fountain, entrance of Qeysariyyeh Bazaar, the loop between Sepah and Hafez St., and the horse carriage path, the mean overall Lden is higher than the standard levels of noise - 55 dB (A) - for urban spaces and they need to be controlled and reduced to standard levels.