Short answer
Prioritize the inclusion and preservation of natural soundscapes in public spaces to enhance user experience and perceived value of cultural ecosystem services.
- Field
- Human Factors
- Source
- Buildings (2025)
- Method
- Mixed-methods research
- Evidence
- Strong effect
A preference for natural sounds within a park significantly improves the perceived value of its cultural ecosystem services. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Buildings. Using Mixed-methods research, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize the inclusion and preservation of natural soundscapes in public spaces to enhance user experience and perceived value of cultural ecosystem services.
Natural soundscapes enhance perceived cultural ecosystem services in parks
A preference for natural sounds within a park significantly improves the perceived value of its cultural ecosystem services.
Buildings · 2025
Key Findings
- 01Overall evaluation of cultural ecosystem services in the park is positive.
- 02Preference for natural soundscapes significantly impacts the evaluation of all cultural ecosystem service dimensions.
- 03Satisfaction with leisure and entertainment is positively correlated with preferences for all soundscape types.
- 04There are notable differences in soundscape preference among different age groups.
Application
Design takeaway
Prioritize the inclusion and preservation of natural soundscapes in public spaces to enhance user experience and perceived value of cultural ecosystem services.
How to apply
When designing or managing parks, cultural sites, or recreational areas, conduct an audit of existing soundscapes and consider how to enhance or introduce natural sounds. Survey user preferences for different sound types and integrate these findings into layout, planting, and facility design.
Project actions
- 01When researching user experience, consider including questions about auditory preferences.
- 02Use sound recording equipment to document existing soundscapes in your design context.
- 03Consider how different age groups might perceive and interact with sound in your design.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Investigates a less-explored sensory dimension (soundscape) in the context of cultural ecosystem services.
- +Uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods.
Limitations
The study focused on one park, so the results might not apply everywhere. Also, user preferences can change over time.
Reliability & validity
The use of on-site questionnaires and statistical analysis in SPSS26 suggests a systematic approach to data collection and analysis, contributing to reliability. Validity is supported by the correlation and IPA analyses, which explore the relationship between soundscape preference and CES perception.
Think critically
How might the introduction of artificial sounds (e.g., music, announcements) impact the perceived naturalness of a soundscape and, consequently, the user's appreciation of cultural ecosystem services?
Design Principles
"Auditory environments significantly shape the perception and value of public spaces."
Understanding how auditory environments influence user perception is crucial for designing public spaces that offer rich cultural experiences. This insight highlights the importance of integrating natural sound elements into the design and management of parks and cultural heritage sites to maximize their perceived benefits.
What This Means for Your Design
If a park sounds more natural (like birds chirping or water flowing), people will feel like it offers more cultural benefits and is a better place to relax and have fun. Different ages like different sounds.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of sensory experience, particularly auditory, in user-centered design for public or cultural spaces.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that the auditory environment plays a significant role in user perception of public spaces. Specifically, a preference for natural soundscapes has been shown to positively influence the perceived cultural ecosystem services of a park, suggesting that incorporating and preserving natural sounds can enhance the overall user experience and perceived value of such environments.
Source
Buildings
Soundscape Preferences and Cultural Ecosystem Services in the Grand Canal National Cultural Park: A Case Study of Tongzhou Forest Park
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about natural soundscapes enhance perceived cultural ecosystem services in parks?
- Prioritize the inclusion and preservation of natural soundscapes in public spaces to enhance user experience and perceived value of cultural ecosystem services. Evidence: Buildings (2025).
- Why does "Natural soundscapes enhance perceived cultural ecosystem services in parks" matter for design?
- Understanding how auditory environments influence user perception is crucial for designing public spaces that offer rich cultural experiences. This insight highlights the importance of integrating natural sound elements into the design and management of parks and cultural heritage sites to maximize their perceived benefits.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Prioritize the inclusion and preservation of natural soundscapes in public spaces to enhance user experience and perceived value of cultural ecosystem services.
- What were the main findings?
- Overall evaluation of cultural ecosystem services in the park is positive.. Preference for natural soundscapes significantly impacts the evaluation of all cultural ecosystem service dimensions.. Satisfaction with leisure and entertainment is positively correlated with preferences for all soundscape types.. There are notable differences in soundscape preference among different age groups.
- What research method was used?
- Mixed-methods research.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Buildings.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing or managing parks, cultural sites, or recreational areas, conduct an audit of existing soundscapes and consider how to enhance or introduce natural sounds. Survey user preferences for different sound types and integrate these findings into layout, planting, and facility design.
- What are the limitations?
- Findings are specific to the case study park and may not be generalizable to all national cultural parks or urban green spaces.