Soundscape planning as a complement to environmental noise control

There is an expansion of interest amongst the acoustic community in the concepts nad theor of soundscapes and in their application to the design and management the sound experienced in outdoor areas. For example, in Europe the Environmental Noise Directive recognizes, in addition to requirements to map high levels of noise exposure in urban areas and produce action plans to reduce these, the existence of what they call quiet zones adn th4e need to protect them through management planes. In the United States, the National Park Service has undertaken studies and implemented management of natural sound in wilderness and recreational areas. Internationally, there has been some progress in standardization , with the first soundscape standards being published last year. In Europe, there has also been work over the last few years of the COST Action on Soundscapes of European Cities and Landscapes, involving over 50 researchers from 23 countries. This has been associated with some 300 journal or conference publications, an eBook in 2013, and a further book in advanced stage of development. There have also been four Special Issues on soundscapes in acoustic journals: Noise Control Engineering Journal in 2011, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and the Journal of the Acoustical Society of Americal and Applied Acoustics in 2013.