Using a soundscape approach to develop an acoustic ecology plan for a city

Sounding Brighton is a collaborative project exploring practical approaches toward better soundscapes focusing on soundscape issues related to health, quality of life, and restorative functions of the environment. The project provides the opportunity to raise awareness and promote communication on soundscapes among the general public, stakeholders and those involved in policy, including encouraging exploration of new ways of listening in local soundscapes, and new ways of tackling noise and improving local soundscape quality. The project is working to provide opportunities to discuss how soundscape concepts might, alongside tackling conventional noise problems, contribute to local planning and environmental improvement as part of a city wide engagement process in the city of Brighton and Hove in England in the United Kingdom. A range of environments, e.g., seafront, foreshore, historic terraces, squares, lanes, parks, and gardens, are being considered. A soundmap of the city is being developed utilizing the Swedish Soundscape-Quality Protocol (developed by Osten Axelsson, Mats E Nilsson and Birgitta Berglund); a public outreach exhibition is being developed; and a night noise intervention study is planned to explore the relationship between soundscapes and the brain, community well being, social cohesion, and the physical and mental health of individuals.