Table 1 Key themes, variables, and their roles in the interactions between soundscape quality and public health, with affected feedback loops, definitions, and supporting references
Theme | Variable | Affected loops | Scope | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Noise pollution and soundscape quality | Soundscape design | R3 | Attitude and practice to implement soundscape interventions, which are a “site-specific design, aimed at preserving or improving an acoustic environment”. | |
Sound source diversity | B2, R2, R3 | Degree a variety within a soundscape, where different sound sources can be experienced in a sound environment that is enjoyably non-uniform but still structured. | ||
Noise pollution | B1, B3 | Unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities, including noise emitted by means of transport, industrial activities, and recreational activities. | ||
Community services | B1 | Initiatives, infrastructure and facilities designed to address social, health, and economic needs, enhance quality of life, and support community well-being through coordinated planning and equitable access. | ||
Socio-economic dimension of soundscape | Economic value of the place | B1, B2, B3, R1 | Potential of a place to generate income and/or support economic activities and the overall development of an area. | |
Psychological value of the place | R1 | Emotional and mental benefits that individuals derive from their interactions with that location, including feelings of attachment, identity, well-being, and comfort that a place provides. | ||
Social value of the place | R1, R2 | Significance that a location holds for a community due to its role in fostering social interactions, cultural identity, collective memory, and overall well-being: this value is often derived from the place’s ability to facilitate social cohesion, provide spaces for community activities, and support cultural and heritage preservation. | ||
Soundscape and environmental justice | Displacement | B2 | Process where residents are forced or feel compelled to relocate from their original neighborhood due to structural changes, such as housing redevelopment or urban renewal programs. | |
Gentrified soundscape | B2 | A soundscape characterized by the prominence (or imposed absence) of specific sound sources, following the desire of a smaller wealthier community. | ||
Biodiversity and soundscape quality | Biodiversity | B3, R3 | Variety of life forms on Earth, encompassing the diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems. |
