Urban vs. Natural Sounds in Sendai city : A Comparative Study

In an attempt to characterize the soundscape in areas of Sendai City, we have studied sound pressure levels at 9 different points differing in degree of urbanization and representing different sound environments. Results indicates that larger sound amplitudes in each site correspond to the nature of its environment. In urban zones with few natural elements, manmade sounds are the most intense, and areas with less degree of urbanization or a more natural environment, the predominant sounds were all natural except in case of sound contamination from a loud source such as a helicopter flying in the distance.