Urban Soundscape Quality Rating Using GIS Data and Remote Sensing: A Case Study of Al-Safa District, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The economic life of an urban area can significantly benefit from a good living environment, making this an essential part of any effective regeneration plan. As cities progressively compete with one another to invite investment, the existence of tranquil spaces, such as gardens and squares, becomes an important business and marketing tool. Managing noise is a major consideration for enhancing citizen’s quality of life, since excessive noise levels have adverse effects on both human health and urban biodiversity. Soundscape evaluation is usually determined by approximating the monetary costs due to exposure to noise, such as hospital expenses, decreased productivity and returns from tourism or measured changes in biodiversity. The major objective of this study is establishing noise maps showing the areas with the highest noise level in order to propose and proposing urban solutions can control such nose level to enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors of Al-Safa District in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, using live monitoring of noise. Methods previously used to evaluate the impact of the urban soundscape measure urban noise level include hedonic pricing, a surveying technique, and choice experiment to evaluate individuals’ preference of neighborhood. However, such studies lack real data, as they provide virtually no information on the way buildings or natural green walls can act as sound barriers or insulation, do not consider properties' proximity to noise zones, lack detail on the impact of contextual factors, such as weather, on the soundscape.

Furthermore, methodologies used to evaluate sound barriers do not differentiate between noise pitch and vibration. Moreover, noise reduction also has economic impact. One of the most important strategic goals of the Saudi Arabia’s national Vision 2030 is focused on improving the quality of life of the Kingdom’s citizens and residents. This plan will be implemented by creating an environmental system that contributes to increasing the level of economic, social, and development of the Kingdom’s cities. The program uses six international indicators to assess the quality of life, with improving individuals’ living conditions for a satisfied and healthy life through enhancing the urban environment prevailing as one of the overarching goals. Numerous studies have demonstrated the negative effect of noise pollution in cities on residents’ health in cities by increasing risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, hearing loss, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, monitoring and managing noise pollution in cities is crucial to improving the quality of life in any urban environment. In the present study, remote sensing and GIS data were obtained to derive environmental and urban factors that may influence the soundscape quality. The smartphone application YOPELO was used to measure noise levels in the Al-Safa district of Jeddah. More than 25 distributed roadside spots in the study area were evaluated based on the traffic volume and mixed land use. The results of the study demonstrate noise levels ranging from 50-82 dB in the areas examined. The modeled high noise levels were significantly associated with commercial areas and higher traffic volume zones. The results of the current research can serve in assisting the government and policy makers in city planning with accordance to social, environmental and urban requirements. In addition, this research contributes to implementing Saudi Vision 2030 by providing pertinent data and interactive maps to determine city locations with lowest level of noise to create optimal public spaces.  Moreover, the present research will contribute key information regarding areas with high noise pollution rates to facilitate planning and implementation of intervention strategies to make the areas more livable.