Pandemic-induced shifts in urban noise perception: A spatial-temporal analysis in a Chinese megacity

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered urban noise perception, with prolonged lockdowns in China producing lasting effects on residents' noise experiences. This study examines the spatiotemporal evolution of noise perception and its relationship with green space distribution in Hangzhou, China, using six years of noise complaint data from 2018 to 2023. Findings reveal a dynamic trajectory of noise complaints: initial diffusion, intensified agglomeration in core areas during lockdowns, followed by re-diffusion post-restriction. Residential areas exhibited the highest noise complaint levels, driven by dense urbanization and insufficient green infrastructure. Spatial analyses showed that green space construction in new urban areas more effectively mitigated noise complaints compared to older urban areas, with core regions benefiting more than peripheries. Larger green spaces were particularly effective in reducing complaints, while transportation noise remained the dominant source. Geographically weighted regression highlighted spatial heterogeneity in green space impacts, highlighting the influences of urban form and land use. These findings underscore the importance of integrating green space planning with noise mitigation strategies, particularly in high-density urban cores and transit-adjacent zones. Building on these insights, this study proposes targeted strategies for enhancing urban noise management.

Keywords: COVID-19; Noise complaints; Noise pollution; Social perception.