Soundscape planning as a complement to environmental noise management

The role and application of the concepts of soundscape planning, vis-à-vis those of environmental noise management, need elaboration. In noise control, sound is a waste product managed to reduce the immision of sounds that cause human discomfort. The soundscape approach, by contrast, considers the acoustic environment as a resource, focussing on sounds people want, or prefer. Quiet is not a core condition for acoustic preference in the outdoor acoustic environment, but congruence of soundscape and landscape is. So too is that sounds that are wanted are heard above, not masked by, sounds that are unwanted in that particular place and context. Advancement of the soundscape approach will be facilitated by distinguishing it, both conceptually and in practice, from the management of environmental noise. Dimensions of complementarity and difference between the two approaches include: different sound sources of interest in any acoustic environment; human responses to these sounds and outcomes that arise from these responses; measurement techniques and mapping; and appropriate objectives for management, planning and design. Soundscape planning and management augments environmental noise management, expanding the scope for application of the tools of acoustic specialists.