The influence of companion factors on soundscape evaluations in urban public spaces

?Soundscape? refers to how individuals or groups of people perceive sounds. This study focuses on whether and to what extent companion factors, compared with other demographic factors, influence the various aspects of soundscape evaluation. Two kinds of companion factors are studied here: one is companion status, the other is the social relationship intensity between companions. Based on a questionnaire and statistical analysis, both companion factors are found to influence evaluations of socially interactive sounds- sound made by human activity. People accompanied are more likely to notice speaking and children sound and prefer safe and social sounds. People involved in closer social relationships tend to notice children?s sounds more and prefer human sound types and social sound. Other factors may offset the influence of companion factors, however. Site factors interfere with accompanied people?s tendencies to prefer safe sounds and notice children?s sounds, and participants? ages interfere with their tendencies to notice speaking sound. The results of this study suggest that human activity sounds can contribute to social sound among companions, whereas solo people may prefer more privacy and quietness. This study emphasizes companion factors in soundscape evaluations and suggests future soundscape design to satisfy people with different companions.