Noise and well-being in urban residential environments:: The potential role of perceived availability to nearby green areas

A growing body of literature indicates that contact with nature influence people's health and psychological well-being both directly and by moderating processes. A questionnaire study was conducted in urban residential settings with high road-traffic noise exposure (L-Aeq.24h = 60-68 dB). Out of 500 residents, 367 lived in dwellings with access to a quiet side (L-Aeq.24h <= 45 dB free field value; "noise/quiet"-condition) and 133 had no access to a quiet side ("noise/noise"-condition). The present paper examines whether perceived availability to nearby green areas affects various aspects of well-being in these two noise-condition groups. For both those with and without access to a quiet side, the results show that "better" availability to nearby green areas is important for their well-being and daily behavior by reducing long-term noise annoyances and prevalence of stress-related psychosocial symptoms, and by increasing the use of spaces outdoors. In the process of planning health-promoting urban environments, it is essential to provide easy access to nearby green areas that can offer relief from environmental stress and opportunities for rest and relaxation, to strive for lower sound levels from road traffic, as well as to design "noise-free" sections indoors and outdoors. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.