Analysis of Soundscape Perception in Different Types of Parks Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)

Soundscape is critical in shaping tourists' experiences and perceptions of the acoustic environment of a park. Creating a well-perceived soundscape is an important factor in enhancing the quality of scenic spots and improving visitor satisfaction in parks. This study selected Park 1903 and Xishan Forest Park as examples of urban parks and forest parks to analyze variations in sound levels and sound source types in two different types of parks. Then, a structural equation model was constructed to unveil the correlation between soundscape perception and visitor satisfaction. The results showed that sound source perception was relatively lower in Park 1903 than in Xishan Forest Park, where natural sounds were more popular among tourists. Further, the perceived occurrence of sounds was higher in Park 1903 than in Xishan Forest Park. The sound level in Park 1903 slightly exceeded the noise limit (55 dB(A)) for Class 1 acoustic environment functional areas, as per the Environmental Quality Standard for Noise (GB 3096–2008), while the sound level in Xishan Forest Park complied with this standard. In Park 1903, soundscape pleasantness improved with increasing degrees of dominance of artificial sounds. Moreover, soundscape pleasantness and richness in both parks had a positive effect on visitor soundscape satisfaction. Furthermore, gender and education level were the most influential factors for soundscape perception in Park 1903 and Xishan Forest Park, respectively. However, age and place of residence were not correlated with soundscape perception in Xishan Forest Park. In conclusion, the variations in sound sources and visitor characteristics remarkably affected visitor soundscape perception in different types of parks. The findings provide valuable insights and a theoretical basis for designing soundscapes and improving park visitor satisfaction.