Cities are known for their hustle, bustle and the constant rumble from taxis, buses, and subways. Conjure an urban soundscape in your mind and you likely can hear the honks and squeaks from motorized vehicles rather than those made by birds.
Today’s urban planners recognize the important role that natural soundscapes and birdsong play in reducing stress and anxiety, and are planning more ways for city-dwellers to reconnect with nature and experience quieter soundscapes. This includes mitigation efforts such as strategic zoning and traffic patterning, greener building and infrastructure design, and reclaiming unused areas, including very small spaces.
Recent research on urban soundscapes show that increasing the vegetation density and complexity in urban parks diminishes traffic noise and boosts bird calls, soundscape monitoring can enhance biodiversity conservation, and sound installations may improve visitors’ soundscape experiences.