Interplay of perception, behavior, and sound: analyzing music activities in urban open spaces

This study conducted an exploratory investigation into the impacts of music activities in urban open spaces, focusing on the interrelations between perception, behavior, and A-weighted sound pressure levels (LAeq) associated with these activities. Utilizing observational and questionnaire methods, the research categorized music activities into dynamic (e.g., dancing) and static (e.g., singing) types. It revealed significant differences in participant numbers, age demographics, and LAeq between the two categories. Results indicated that dynamic music activities typically attracted an older participant and had lower LAeq than static activities. However, participants in dynamic activities reported lower levels of sound comfort and spatial satisfaction. Within dynamic music activities, a negative correlation was found between LAeq and sound comfort, whereas no significant correlation was observed in static music activities. Additionally, participant numbers in dynamic activities showed no relation to sound pressure levels, which increased with the activity area. Conversely, in static activities, both participant numbers and activity area were found to positively influence LAeq. The study also discovered that for both dynamic and static music activities, the lower the LAeq were when the people's formation approached a circular shape. This research offers valuable insights into understanding the acoustic environment and participant experience in urban open spaces.