The acoustic climate of spaces located under overpasses in the context of adapting them for outdoor public events – a pilot case study

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DOI

Elżbieta Komarzyńska-Świeściak

elzbieta.komarzynska-swiesciak@pwr.edu.pl

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2688-4073
Piotr Kozlowski

piotr.kozlowski@pwr.edu.pl

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3122-6606

Abstract

Due to the current shortage of traditional public space because of its privatization, commercialization, and securitization, there is an urgent need to reclaim areas affected by motorized traffic in the urbanized areas. On the other hand, the process of adapting them for new purposes should be carefully carried out, addressing several issues, among them environmental acoustics. This study is meant to contribute to our understanding of acoustic conditions of a general model of the bridge underspace. Therefore, the aim of the research was to examine the existing acoustic climate by measuring noise levels and comparing them with equivalent acceptable noise levels for the expected type of space development and Noise Rating curves. In this research, a pilot case study approach was used, as measurements were taken for a chosen space located under an elevated road that represents certain criteria set by the researchers. The results allowed us to: (1) verify the relationship between the geometry of the bridge underspace and the noise levels, (2) assess the initial acoustic conditions in terms of possibilities of acoustic adaptation of the examined space for outdoor public events, and (3) formulate hypotheses and preliminary assumptions for the planned further and broader studies of the issues raised in this article. The presented results and their analysis show that it is possible to bring the acoustic conditions in the studied space to the state required for public or cultural meeting spaces. In comparison with earlier findings, the research undertaken appears to be pioneering and the results can be used as valuable input for further research on this topic.

Keywords:

architectural and acoustical design, public space, bridge underspace, environmental acoustics, urban acoustics

References

Article Details

Komarzyńska-Świeściak, E. and Kozlowski, P. (2021) “The acoustic climate of spaces located under overpasses in the context of adapting them for outdoor public events – a pilot case study”, Budownictwo i Architektura, 20(4), pp. 063–092. doi: 10.35784/bud-arch.2838.
Author Biography

Elżbieta Komarzyńska-Świeściak, Department of Public Architecture, Basics of Design, and Environmental Development; Faculty of Architecture; Wrocław University of Science & Technology;

Elżbieta Komarzyńska-Świeściak is an assistant professor in the Department of Public Architecture, Basics of Design and Environmental Development at Faculty of Architecture of Wroclaw University of Science & Technology. In 2017, she completed her Ph.D. with distinction in Architecture and Urban Planning and has been engaged in several grant programs and international research projects. Elżbieta is a licensed architect and has over 10 years of international working experience. She is a member of the Lower Silesian Regional Chamber of Architects and the Committee on Architecture and Urban Planning of the Wroclaw Branch of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Apart from that, her current research interests lie in the area of urban regeneration of leftover spaces and applying Open Building strategies in adaptive reuse projects.