Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Soundscape Basics and Practical Implications

Soundscape research represents a paradigm shift, as it involves human and social sciences and physical measurements to account for the diversity of soundscapes across countries and cultures. Moreover, it treats environmental sounds as a resource rather than a waste.

Soundscape and the Built Environment

is the first book to systematically discuss soundscape in the built environment. It begins with a presentation of theory and basic background, answering questions such as: what is soundscape, how is it important, and how does it affect people in terms of their health and perception on the acoustic environment. The book then sets out tools for implementing a soundscape approach, with measurement techniques, mapping, and good soundscape practices. It also delivers a series of examples of the application of the soundscape approach in planning, design, and assessment. Discusses soundscape and environmental noise Explores cultural variations and the way they influence soundscape Introduces binaural measurement technology and psychoacoustics Examines the physical, psychological, and physiological restorative mechanism of high-quality acoustic environments Presents soundscape mapping based on human perception of sound sources Includes real-world examples and case studies highlighting the key issues in soundscape intervention

Soundscape and the Built Environment

is written by a group of leading international figures and derives from a four-year EU COST project on Soundscapes of European Cities and Landscapes. It presents a consensus on the current state of the art and is not merely a collection of different views. It is written for acoustic consultants, urban planners, designers and policy makers, as well as for graduate students and researchers.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

This book, which has ten chapters and 26 contributing authors, is an excellent addition to the literature on soundscape studies. Generally, the term soundscape indicates a study of environmental acoustics. However, this work is the first that presents systematic discussions of various aspects of soundscape in built environments. After introducing elements of soundscape, the book discusses the impact of soundscape on health benefits, human perception as a guidance of soundscape, the role of psychoacoustics, new forms of sound-mapping techniques, soundscape management, and the use of soundscape within the cultural and natural heritage. Exemplary case studies of applied soundscape practices are outlined. The beginning of each chapter lists both contents and subtopics and provides an exhaustive inventory of references. Throughout the book, figures, tables, and photographs are very clear and highly readable. This excellent book is highly recommended for professionals, consultants, researchers, students, and administrators in a variety of fields, such as acoustics, architecture, landscape design, building science and technology, urban planning, transportation engineering, and environmental science. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers. --Marehalli G. Prasad, Stevens Institute of Technology