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Ren X, Wei P, Wang Q, Sun W, Yuan M, Shao S, Zhu D, Xue Y. The effects of audio-visual perceptual characteristics on environmental health of pedestrian streets with traffic noise: A case study in Dalian, China. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1122639. [PMID: 37063532 PMCID: PMC10102546 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1122639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected city dwellers’ physical and mental health and has raised concerns about the health of urban public spaces. This field investigation research in Dalian, China, examined the perceived audio-visual environment characteristics of urban pedestrian streets with traffic noise and their influences on the environmental health of the pedestrian streets. Five indicators reflecting psychological responses to environmental characteristics (willingness to walk, relaxation, safety, beauty, and comprehensive comfort) were used to measure environmental health of pedestrian streets with traffic noise. The results showed that safety was rated the highest, and willingness to walk was evaluated as the lowest among health evaluation indicators. The imageability and openness of the streetscape were associated with each health evaluation indicator. In contrast, the rhythm and continuity of the street buildings had a greater effect on willingness to walk than the other health indicators. There were negative correlations between LAeq for traffic noise and health evaluations. Positive health evaluations were observed when LAeq was less than 55 dBA. In contrast, soundscape indicators showed positive correlations with health evaluations, and acoustic comfort and noise annoyance, rather than sound preference and subjective loudness were associated with each health evaluation indicator. In terms of the combined audio-visual factors, acoustic comfort, the quantity of greening, annoyance, sky visibility, spatial scale, and building distance were examined as the determining factors affecting health evaluations, and 55.40% of the variance in health evaluations was explained by the soundscape and streetscape indicators. The findings provide references for better understanding the relationships between healthy experience and audio-visual perceptions. Moreover, they enable environmental health quality optimisation of pedestrian spaces considering audio-visual indicators and approaches in the post-epidemic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Ren
- School of Architecture and Fine Arts, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- National Environmental Protection Engineering and Technology Center for Road Traffic Noise Control, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xinxin Ren,
| | - Peng Wei
- School of Architecture and Fine Arts, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Qiran Wang
- School of Architecture and Fine Arts, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Wei Sun
- School of Architecture and Fine Arts, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Minmin Yuan
- National Environmental Protection Engineering and Technology Center for Road Traffic Noise Control, Beijing, China
- Research Institute of Highway Ministry of Transport, Beijing, China
| | - Shegang Shao
- National Environmental Protection Engineering and Technology Center for Road Traffic Noise Control, Beijing, China
- Research Institute of Highway Ministry of Transport, Beijing, China
| | - Dandan Zhu
- School of Architecture and Fine Arts, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Yishan Xue
- School of Architecture and Fine Arts, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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Zhang F, Shi L, Liu S, Shi J, Cheng M, Xiang T. The Ancient Town Residential Environment of the Elderly in Xiangxi Tujia: Survey, Questions, and Recommendations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10820. [PMID: 36078529 PMCID: PMC9518449 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study uses behavioral observation, interviews, and questionnaire research to investigate the residential environment. It also evaluates the elderly in four representative ancient towns of Xiangxi, namely, Liye Ancient Town, Furong Ancient Town, Liexi Ancient Town, and Xichehe Ancient Town. It includes indoor air (CO2, PM2.5, PM10) and light intensity monitoring for the residential environment. The results showed that the elderly had a significant sense of frustration and loneliness. Of the elderyly, 70% believed the current living environment had an impact on healthy living, and 45% believed the safety and convenience of the living environment should be improved. More than 80% of the elderly were dissatisfied with their indoor acoustic environment, and more than 70% were dissatisfied with their home transportation. More than 85% of the elderly considered traditional wooden components and spaces to be the source of cultural identity. Furthermore, the average indoor PM2.5 concentration during the fire pit fire was 350-600 µg/m3, about 4.7-8 times the Chinese standard value. The average concentration of PM10 in all rooms was more than 400 µg/m3, approximately three times the Chinese standard value. Also, targeted environmental improvement strategies were proposed. The study results provided actual information to develop a systematic approach and a targeted design based on the needs to improve the residential environment of the elderly in ancient cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fupeng Zhang
- School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
- Health Building Research Center, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
| | - Lei Shi
- School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
- Health Building Research Center, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
| | - Simian Liu
- School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
- Health Building Research Center, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
- Health Building Research Center, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
- College of Architecture, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410114, China
| | - Mengfei Cheng
- School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
- Health Building Research Center, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
| | - Tansheng Xiang
- School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
- Health Building Research Center, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
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