CITY SOUNDSCAPES
Photo: Sophie Arzberger
Ecological research
We investigate how urban soundscape characteristics relate to urban greenspace structural complexity and to biodiversity, and how structural complexity relates to biodiversity. Here we measure bird diversity using automated acoustic devices and measure vegetation structural complexity using mobile laser scanning.
Photo: Monika Egerer
Public Health Research
We examine how urban soundscapes influence acoustic comfort and well-being, particularly restoration effects on city dwellers and explore the pathways through which social factors (nature connection, demographics) mediate the relationship between urban soundscapes and well-being.
Photo: Monika Egerer
Participatory Research
We involve citizens, civil society organizations, and decision-makers in the development and testing of research methods. We ensure ongoing collaboration and exchanges between different stakeholders through living labs.
Recognizing urban nature as a critical habitat for biodiversity and a contributor to human well-being, the project underscores the significance of implementing biodiversity-based health interventions as a cost-effective strategy to improve the overall health of urban populations. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the CitySoundscapes Project integrates insights from forestry, landscape ecology, and environmental psychology. The primary focus of the project is the exploration of "soundscapes" within urban environments – the auditory landscape that significantly influences human experiences. In cities, diverse acoustic stimuli impact residents with specific sounds, such as traffic noise, inducing stress and anxiety. Urban green spaces emerge as potential solutions, capable of mitigating disruptive noises and offering a natural acoustic environment conducive to stress reduction and cognitive performance.
The aim of the CitySoundscapes Project is to provide valuable insights into the strategic structuring, equipping, and distribution of urban green spaces. These spaces are envisioned not only as essential habitats for biodiversity but also as effective contributors to the well-being of city dwellers. By establishing living labs and integrating biodiversity-based health interventions into urban planning and management, the project seeks to contribute to a holistic understanding of how urban environments can be optimized to simultaneously support biodiversity conservation and enhance the health and well-being of urban populations.
Project duration: 01.06.2023 – 31.05.2024 (phase 1); 01.10.2024 - 31.09.2027 (phase 2)
Partners: Staff from the following research groups and institutes
Technische Universität München, Professorship for Urban Productive Ecosystems, Professorship for Forest and Agroforest Systems, Chair for Strategic Landscape Planning and Management, Chair for Terrestrial Ecology
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research
Technische Universität Berlin, Department of Engineering Acoustics, Institute of Fluid Dynamics and Technical Acoustics
Funding: BMBF-Forschungsinitiative zum Erhalt der Artenvielfalt (FEdA)
Contact: Leonie Schulz (Project coordinator; leonie.schulz@tum.de) and Monika Egerer (Pl; monika.egerer@tum.de)