Soundscape and natural landscape as a design construct for improving psycho-physiological health in cities: a semi-systematic literature review

ABSTRACT

Soundscape and landscape are the internal perceptual experiences of the acoustic and visual environments. They are increasingly recognised as design elements that can promote healthy cities and population health, and a deeper understanding of them is important for policymaking. This review explores the influence of the soundscape and natural landscape on psycho-physiological health, including their interaction, and we used the term ‘sensescape’ to refer to the combination of the perceptual influences of soundscape and natural landscape on people. Using ISI Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest Central, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar, a literature search was undertaken on the therapeutic health implications of landscape and soundscape on urban milieu and residents. The results demonstrated that exposure to natural sound and visual environments was associated with slower heart rates and greater parasympathetic nerve activation. The presentation of complex audio-visual environments demonstrated that visual signals stimulate the brain area that activates physio-psychological relaxation. It was also found to be beneficial tools for participatory soundscape and landscape planning. Overall, the combined effect of natural landscape and soundscape may improve psychophysiological health and should be considered when considering future planning and management of urban environments. Practical imlications, limitations, and future research directions is also discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Audio-visual interaction
• natural landscape
• nature-based environment
• psycho-physiological health
• soundscape
• urban sustainability

This article is related to:

Research for city practice

Authors’ contributions

Timothy Onosahwo Iyendo was responsible for the study conception and design. Timothy Onosahwo Iyendo, David Welch and Patrick Chukwuemeke Uwajeh performed the data collection and screened the items for the review. Timothy Onosahwo Iyendo, David Welch and Patrick Chukwuemeke Uwajeh were responsible for the first draft of the manuscript. Timothy Onosahwo Iyendo, David Welch and Patrick Chukwuemeke Uwajeh revised and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Geo loc ation infor mation

This semi-systematic review was conducted in Cyprus, Nigeria, and New Zealand and includes literature from around the world and aims to facilitate the development of intervention strategies worldwide.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/23748834.2023.2280288.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Timothy Onosahwo Iyendo

Timothy Onosahwo Iyendo is a senior lecturer and the current Head of the Department of Architecture at the Nile University of Nigeria. He is a transdisciplinary researcher who explores the intersections of sound, space, and human behaviour/experience. His work covers topics such as soundscape and landscape ecology, therapeutic and sensorial architecture, psychology of music and art, evidence-based design practice, indoor environmental quality, climate-responsive architecture, and visual multimedia/audio-visual intervention. He has collaborated with scholars and experts from various countries, including Turkey, Cyprus, China, Iran, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Nigeria.

David Welch

David Welch is an Associate Professor and the current Head of Audiology at the University of Auckland in Auckland, New Zealand. He has a background in sensory psychology and physiology, and he has published extensively in the fields of hearing and health. His research interests include hearing-health promotion and community hearing-health, with a focus on preventing noise-induced hearing loss, mitigating environmental noise, and improving the soundscape environment. He is also the Head of Audiology at the University of Auckland, where he leads a team of dedicated professionals.

Patrick Chukwuemeke Uwajeh

Patrick Chukwuemeke Uwajeh is a Lecturer in the Department of Architecture at Nile University of Nigeria. His research revolves around the therapeutic use of landscapes and gardens as evidence-based design interventions to enhance user experiences in healthcare and urban settings. He also investigates the health benefits of nature-based interventions and their potential applications as environmental design elements to improve health and wellbeing in the built environment.