Residents’ Spatial Perceptions of Urban Gardens Based on Soundscape and Landscape Differences
Zheng Zhao, Yanbin Wang, Yilei Hou
Abstract
In this study, four types of urban gardens, namely modern commercial, cultural heritage, historical preservation, and natural and ecological areas, were comprehensively described and analyzed based on soundscape and landscape differences, and a multinomial logit model was used to explore potential influencing factors shaping residents’ preferences regarding urban gardens. The results suggest that variations in soundscape are closely related to the characteristics of the garden areas and the timing of residents’ activities; the noise level measurements at different observation points varied considerably according to the time of day and displayed different trends. Residents strongly preferred natural sounds, and traffic noise was the most disliked category of sound. Further, a negative correlation was found between residents’ subjective perception of loudness and the favorability of the area, while a clear positive correlation existed between the degree of favorability and the degree of landscape-soundscape coordination. Regarding landscape differences, residents generally preferred urban gardens without artificial transformation and prioritized the maintenance of natural landscaping and the historical and cultural heritage of urban gardens. In particular, residents’ preferences reflected the trade-offs between natural and artificial forms of urban gardens. These results offer useful information for planners, developers, and governmental organizations related to urban gardens by providing data to design urban gardens with increased practical value and natural benefits.