Residential and Acoustic Environments Perceived by Residents of Regional Cities in Korea: A Case Study of Mokpo City

Abstract

Plans to develop and improve a regional residential environment based on current residential and acoustic environments have been developed. A survey of the residents of Mokpo, a port city located on the south-western tip of the Republic of Korea, examined the relationship between the respondents’ residential and acoustic environments and their awareness of their sound environment. Ambient sounds were categorised as: (a) work/mechanical noise; (b) natural environment sound; (c) living environment noise; (d) maritime environment sound; (e) traditional environment sound; (f) water environment sound; and (g) regional environment sound. This categorisation was found to be affected by factors such as sex, age, and educational background. The ambient sounds found most satisfying were identified as (e) and (g), in this order, which confirmed the importance of the acoustic environment in residential regions. The existential value of sound in the environment was also evaluated by re-categorising the sounds into another set: (a) traditional sound; (b) traffic noise; (c) regional vitality sound; (d) nature sound; (e) construction work sound; (f) rural environment sound; and (g) train and mechanical sound. These groups were found to be affected by age, educational background, region, and utility. The (c),(d), and (e) sounds, in particular, showed a stark difference in perception: the first two were rated as ‘‘better to be present’’ by respondents from the new downtown area, whereas the construction work sound was viewed ‘‘positive’’ by respondents from the old downtown area. The results confirmed the need for more balanced urban development planning.