Effects of soundscape perception on visiting experience in a renovated historical block

Soundscape perception could affect visiting experience in different types of urban open spaces. The aim of this study was to verify whether these effects exist in historical districts as well. This was based on a questionnaire survey of 298 visitors in the “Three Lanes and Seven Alleys” historical block in Fuzhou, China. The results indicated that, different soundscape perception and visiting experience indicators could be affected by certain different sound sources. Specifically, natural sounds showed more positive effects on calm and harmonious soundscape perception. Natural sounds and music related sounds showed the most prominent positive effects on satisfaction degree of different landscape types, while construction sound and traffic sound showed the most adverse effects. Construction sound also showed the most negative effects on historical sense, while distinctive impression was much related to water sound and handcraft making sound. Noisy impression showed the most relationships with perception of certain human sounds and music related sounds, while interesting impression was significantly related to historical sounds and natural sounds. In general, positive soundscape perception could contribute to the satisfaction degree of visiting experience. The SEM results indicated that soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness showed more positive effects on historical and modern landscape, respectively, and both of them showed positive effects on commercial landscape. Modern landscape and commercial landscape showed direct and indirect positive effects on historical landscape, respectively. The research results provided theoretical references for soundscape and landscape design of historical blocks in renovation process. [Display omitted] •Major sound sources affecting soundscape perception and visiting experience were identified.•Historical sounds could improve satisfaction degree of historical and commercial landscape.•Positive soundscape perception could contribute to a better visiting experience.•Different soundscape could cause different impacts on historical and modern landscape.