Towards the practical implementation of the holistic approach to urban sound planning

The holistic approach to urban sound planning concept, states that in order to achieve restorative sonic environments, acoustic characteristics should be considered from the beginning of the urban planning process. At this stage it is still possible to avoid the generation of noise, to design solutions that will inhibit noises but also enhance the existing soundscape and to coordinate different stakeholders' perspectives into a coherent solution. The challenges presented by this approach demand more than the traditional noise engineering tools. Therefore the traditional toolbox focused on urban noise reduction was extended to include soundscape analysis, auralisation (audio and visual), improved prediction/modelling methods but also urban planning concepts and effective communication techniques. This paper will present an overview of the new approach, from the development of the holistic concept to its practical implementation at real test sites.