Sounding Brighton: practical approaches towards better soundscapes

“Sounding Brighton” is a collaborative project exploring practical approaches towards better soundscapes focusing on soundscape issues related to health, quality of life and restorative functions of the environment. The project provides the opportunity to raise awareness and promote communication on soundscapes among the general public, stakeholders and those involved in policy, including encouraging exploration of new ways of listening in local soundscapes, and new ways of tackling noise and improving local soundscape quality. The project is working to provide opportunities to discuss how soundscape concepts might, alongside tackling conventional noise problems, contribute to local planning and environmental improvement as part of a citywide engagement process in the city of Brighton & Hove in England in the United Kingdom. A range of environments: e.g. city centre, entertainment venues, seafront, foreshore, historic terraces, squares, lanes, parks and gardens are being considered. A soundmap of the city is being developed; a public outreach exhibition has taken place; and a night noise intervention pilot study has been trialed to explore the relationship between soundscapes and the brain and their effects on human behavior. The work is being further developed to better understand the effect of soundscapes on community well being, social cohesion and the physical and mental health of individuals.