![Sample our Health and Social Care journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5938/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Health-Social-Care.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
The degree of functional and structural connectivity of landscapes is a critical issue that could be associated with numerous ecological processes at various scales, in rural and urban environments. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the ecological connectivity of two quiet areas in the city of Mytilene (Greece), using the DPSIR (Driving force–Pressure–State–Impact–Response) framework, which focuses on the description of environmental problems. The application of the DPSIR framework provided feedback regarding the urban acoustic environment of the two quiet areas. Two maps were created with the purpose of assessing impact of road traffic noise on the two quiet areas: a noise map, using the CadnaA software and an acoustic complexity map using the free open source QGiS software. The noise level measurements and the Acoustic Complexity Index were statistically analyzed. The results showed a strong negative correlation due to background traffic noise, diminishing the complexity of the acoustic environment. Furthermore, the results are exploited to develop plans addressing the structural and functional connection of Mytilene’s quiet areas. In conclusion, recommendations are provided so as to preserve urban quiet areas, promoting ecological connectivity and limiting the negative effects of noise on human health and the environment.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Aggelos Tsaligopoulos
Aggelos Tsaligopoulos is a PhD (c) on the Acoustic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Environment, University of the Aegean. The main focus of his research is the concept of urban quiet areas.
Aimilia Karapostoli
Aimilia Karapostoli is an architect with a M.A. in Museum Studies and Culture Management and a PhD. with focus on sound, architecture theory and design (2016). She is also a professional flute player since 2004. Currently she works as a university lecturer and researcher in school of Architecture Engineering in Democritus University of Thrace, Greece, having participated in many conferences and as a freelancer architect, having won numerous awards. She is also a musician in small experimental bands.
Antonella Radicchi
Dr. Antonella Radicchi's expertise encompasses integrated urban design and planning, soundscape research, quiet areas, qualitative research methods and tools, like soundwalks and the citizen science Hush City app. Dr. Radicchi is currently associate researcher and HEAD-Genuit Foundation Fellow at the Technical University of Berlin, where she leads the Hush City Mobile Lab project. Dr. Radicchi is a registered architect and she holds a Ph.D. in Urban Design and Territorial Planning, with doctoral studies conducted at MIT (Cambridge, USA) and at the University of Firenze (IT). Her research and professional work on soundscape has been internationally awarded.
Chris Economou
Chris Economou holds a PhD in acoustic ecology and is the manager of the Acoustic Ecology Laboratory of the Department of Environment, University of the Aegean. He has many years of experience in acoustics, bioacoustics and biology.
Stella Kyvelou
Stella Kyvelou is an architect-Engineer. She holds a PhD in Geography and Spatial Planning from the University Paris I-Panthéon-Sorbonne and Euromanager in European environmental policy. She is currently an Asst. Professor at the Department of Economics and Regional Development of the University of Social and Political Sciences Panteion of Athens. She is Founder and President of the SDMed Association (www.sd-med.org), an international think-and-do tank dealing with co-operation for sustainable development in the Mediterranean, since 2001.
Yiannis G. Matsinos
Yiannis G. Matsinos is a Professor of Ecosystem Management Sector and Director of the Acoustic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Environment, University of the Aegean. His professional experience and teaching relates to the structure, dynamics and management of ecosystems with an emphasis on statistical methods.