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Effect of human sound component on the sociability of urban public spaces—a case study in Sheffield, UK

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  • Jingwen Cao

    (Nanjing University)

  • Jian Kang

    (University College London)

Abstract

Soundscape quality is important for fostering social interactions in urban public spaces. This study focuses on how and to what extent the compositions of the soundscape affect the sociability of urban public spaces where human sound is focused. Four 360° experimental soundscape samples were designed as foreground/background/no human sound type and signal sound type, based on the raw data collected in Peace Gardens, Sheffield, United Kingdom. Following Affordance Theory, sociability was analyzed by the experimental survey through two aspects—suitability and stimulation level—through a questionnaire consisting of Soundscape Quality evaluation (SQE) and Level of Willingness for social interactions (LoW), respectively. 120 participants were recruited in the same site representing the compositions of space users. Results show that only foreground human sound type significantly enhanced both suitability and stimulation levels, other samples were evaluated with either high suitability/low stimulation or low suitability/high stimulation. Results indicate people prefer a human sound dominated soundscape with high complexity and this preference was varied among different companion types and age groups. To achieve high sociability, it is suggested to create a complex and eventful soundscape within the range of pleasantness accompanied by a centripetal spatial form, and concerns users' diverse demographic backgrounds.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingwen Cao & Jian Kang, 2024. "Effect of human sound component on the sociability of urban public spaces—a case study in Sheffield, UK," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:11:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-024-03929-y
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-03929-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniel Steele & Edda Bild & Cynthia Tarlao & Catherine Guastavino, 2019. "Soundtracking the Public Space: Outcomes of the Musikiosk Soundscape Intervention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-38, May.
    2. Jieling Xiao & Lisa Lavia & Jian Kang, 2018. "Towards an agile participatory urban soundscape planning framework," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 61(4), pages 677-698, March.
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