Investigating Factors Influencing Soundscape Evaluations Across Multiple Urban Spaces In Montreal

Previous soundscape studies have shown a complex relationship between soundscapes, public space usage and contexts of users' visits to the space. Yet many of these findings are restricted to one study site at a time and may not generalize to a global understanding of urban sound environments. Questionnaire is a common data collection method for soundscape research in indoors and outdoors environments. The present study is a comparative analysis of in-situ questionnaires collected over five study sites in Montreal from 2015 to 2018 (N=1029). At each site, the questionnaire included the Swedish Soundscape Quality Protocol, person-related (e.g. personality) and situation-related (e.g. activity) variables. The analysis reveals an influence of social interaction (alone vs. with others), noise sensitivity, and extraversion, amongst others. For example, people in groups found the soundscape more pleasant and appropriate, and less monotonous and chaotic than people alone. These results have important implications in the design and planning of both indoor and outdoor public spaces, and in particular, the planning of amenities that direct the activities performed in the space. The analysis also identifies methodological implications for improving soundscape questionnaires.