Yasaki Oishi

Comparison of noise environment of residences in Nagoya, Japan and in Beijing, China

Abstract A social survey based on the noise environment at residential sites both in Nagoya, Japan and in Beijing, China has been carried out. Noise levels have been measured during one day and night at house sites and a social survey of the reactions of residents to the living environment has also been made. The surveys in both cities indicate that the distribution of noise levels is almost the same, but the reactions of residents to the noise environment are quite different. The analysis and results of the surveys and discussion on the difference between the reactions of residents in the two cities to their noise environments are given in this paper.

Reaction to the outdoor noise among inhabitants in Nagoya, Japan and Beijing, China

Inhabitants’ reaction to outdoor noise in Nagoya and in Beijing was surveyed. A questionnaire on noise was conducted with more than 2000 people in Nagoya and more than 1000 in Beijing. They were also asked whether they were sensitive to each of the 37 types of noise sources. The responses of inhabitants to the above questionnaire in Beijing are more sensitive than those in Nagoya to loudness, annoyance, and sleep disturbance. Road traffic noise is the most audible of 37 noise sources in both cities. Sounds of fireworks and sounds from festivals are also highly audible in Beijing. The most annoying noise is one from motorcycle gangs in both cities, and one from construction in Beijing. The annoyance rates in Beijing are higher than those in Nagoya.