Applying systems thinking in soundscape research and practice

This paper explores the future of soundscape research and practice in urban planning, emphasizing applied expertise and experience using the soundscape method. Soundscape studies recognize environmental sounds as a resource that can promote positive health effects, such as stress reduction and improved cognitive performance. However, enhancing soundscapes in urban areas may occasionally lead to unintended consequences, potentially exacerbating social inequalities. This study employs a systems thinking approach, involving participatory modelling workshops with experts to create a causal loop diagram (CLD) illustrating the complex interconnections between soundscape quality and public health. Key themes identified include noise pollution, socio-economic dimensions, environmental justice, and biodiversity. The CLD reveals feedback mechanisms and intervention points, suggesting research pathways, such as ecoacoustics, psychoacoustics, prediction models, and big data applications. These pathways aim to mitigate noise pollution, enhance biodiversity, and balance individual and community needs in soundscape design. This approach seeks to promote equitable and sustainable urban environments, advancing the discourse on soundscape research and its applications by integrating soundscape quality into urban planning and policy. Further interdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement are essential to refine these insights and translate them into effective policies and practices.