Exploring The Acoustic Environments Of Barcelona’s Superblocks: Perceptions From Soundwalks

The Superblock proposal in Barcelona is a strategy for urban intervention that aims to promote lower traffic density, increased green spaces and quiet areas, thereby improving the health and well-being of citizens. Consequently, it can serve as a valuable case study for testing tools for soundscape assessment, as it provides a unique acoustic environment. To evaluate it, soundwalks were conducted in the Poblenou, Sant Antoni, and Sant Gervasi Superblocks. This study examined the similarities among these three locations in terms of how people perceive the quietness and sounds in each area. The acoustic environments were characterized by measuring the sound pressure levels (physical parameters). Subjective data were obtained through questionnaires with a 5-point Likert scale. The results showed that Sant Gervasi and Sant Antoni Superblocks were not considered quiet areas by the participants, although birds and vegetation contributed positively to the sense of quietness in the first location, while in Sant Antoni, the quietness is influenced by the presence of people talking. In Poblenou, the quietest point is related to the promotion of social interaction. The findings of this study can be used to plan new superblocks and analyze their effectiveness in promoting a better acoustic environment in the city.