Quality of Soundscape in Sarâs of Tabriz Bazaar Based on Objective and Subjective Evaluations

Soundscape is a new branch of urban studies that deals with the quality of the sound heard in addition to the quantities of sound. Soundscape is a mental and perceptual concept. Therefore, there are several characteristics involved in its quality that can be generally divided into two categories of objective and subjective components. Sound Pressure Level (SPL) is the most important objective component and is directly related to the sound loudness of sound and sonic comfort. The present study seeks to determine how the values of SPL and peoplechrs duration of exposure to sounds of Sarâs of Tabriz Bazaar affect the perceptual desirability of the soundscape of those spaces. The values of SPL have been measured in the old and middle Haj HosseinQoli and Mirza Mohammad Sarâs and the perceptual quality of those soundscapes has been evaluated from the sight of individuals. By analyzing the correlation and adaptation of the research findings with the upstream sciences, the effect of SPL, duration and reason for presence in Bazaar on the mental quality of the soundscape has been determined. The results indicate that all three studied Sarâs are objectively tranquil and sonic comfortable spaces. But longer the exposure time to sound of Bazaar increases the less sonic comfort and the desirability of the soundscape. Architectural cavities and wall materials cause low SPL values. But unwanted sounds that have a sudden onset and a relatively high volume can reduce the sonic comfort and have a detrimental effect on the quality of the soundscape. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a component called urban sound clarity in the study of soundscapes of tranquil urban spaces. This is especially important for people who have been exposed to a particular soundscape for a long time.