Exploring the Soundscape in a University Campus: Students’ Perceptions and Eco-Acoustic Indices

Urban noise pollution significantly degrades people’s health and well-being and, furthermore, traditional noise reduction strategies often overlook individual perception differences. This study proposed to explore the role of eco-acoustic indices in capturing the interplay between biophony, geophony, and anthrophony, and their relationship with classical acoustic metrics and the perceived soundscapes within a University Campus (University of “Mila-no-Bicocca”, Italy). The study area is divided in to eight different sites in “Piazza della Scienza” square. Sound measurements and surveys conducted in June 2023 across four paved sites and adjacent courtyards involved 398 participants (51.7% female, 45.6% male, 2.7% other). The main noise sources included road traffic, technical installations, and human activity, where traffic noise was more prominent at street-level sites (Sites 1–4) and technical installations dominated underground courtyards (6–8). Human activity was most noticeable at Sites 4–8, especially at Site 5, which showed the highest activity levels. A circumplex model revealed that street-level sites were less pleasant and eventful than courtyards. Pairwise comparisons of noise variability showed significant differences among sites, with underground locations offering quieter environments. Eco-acoustic analysis identified two site groups: one linked to noisiness and spectral features, the other to intensity distribution metrics. Technical installations, people, and traffic noises showed distinct correlations with acoustic indices, influencing emotional responses like stimulation and liveliness. These findings emphasize the need to integrate subjective perceptions with objective noise metrics in soundscape descriptions.