The influence of socio-cultural context on the perception of student noise in the City of Groningen: A qualitative analysis

Abstract

In this article, we examine the relationship between people's response to their soundscape and the social and cultural contexts within which soundscapes are experienced. Our research draws upon qualitative analyses of interviews with 40 residents of Groningen, the Netherlands. Because students comprise 25 percent of Groningen's population, residents conceive of this city as a student city. In this social context, many informants perceived the noise made by students as typical for the soundscape of Groningen. The interviewees' attitudes showed a considerable acceptance, and sometimes even fondness of student noises. Their explanations supporting the acceptance of noisy students included the social context of the city as a historically established student city in combination with their personal backgrounds and connections to the university. The observation that local socio-cultural contexts can affect people's responses to local soundscapes may be used to improve the evaluation and management of sonic environments.