A Spatial Analysis Related to the Soundscapes Within and Surrounding the Rotterdam Port Area

Abstract

Environmental noise is a major urban stressor, affecting both physical and mental health and diminishing quality of life (WHO, 2018; EEA, 2020). Conventional noise assessments, often based on averaged metrics such as Lden and Lnight, fail to capture the subjective and context-dependent nature of sound perception (Herranz-Pascual et al., 2010; Kang, 2023). This exploratory study examines the relationship between soundscapes and the built environment in the Rotterdam port area, using Oud-Charlois as a pilot site. By integrating multiple scales—from the city level to neighbourhood functional distribution, street profiles, and building typologies—the study combines insights from the literature with empirical data, including GIS datasets, satellite imagery, and geolocated noise complaints. Findings indicate that lively soundscapes are associated with commercial activity, calm soundscapes with natural green spaces, and chaotic soundscapes with traffic-intensive areas (Margaritis & Kang, 2017; Kang et al., 2018). The results underscore the limitations of objective noise maps in representing lived soundscapes and suggest that green infrastructure, street design, and building typologies shape acoustic perception. Future research should integrate sensor-based noise measurements with citizen science approaches, adopt longitudinal methods to capture temporal dynamics, and account for socio-demographic context.