Currently, there is limited space designated for (future) green at Amsterdam Science Park, leading to a sound environment dominated by urban noise. In addition, students are increasingly experiencing mental health problems. Spending time in nature can positively impact mental wellbeing. Sounds of nature, especially wildlife sounds, can improve mental health and reduce stress levels. Therefore, we want to explore to what extent improving the (acoustic) environment, with a focus on birds, could enhance students’ mental health. Based on our findings, we aim to design interventions tailored to the neighbourhood of Amsterdam Science Park. This way, we want to inspire and aid policymakers to focus on the interplay of nature and wellbeing in landscape planning.
More about the project
Project Approach
Our approach is scientific, experiential, and experimental in nature. Using dedicated “Audiomoth” sensing devices from ARISE, we will map the (acoustic) environment of birds for designated locations within Amsterdam Science Park, as well as the student subjective experience of the (acoustic) environment. Then, we will statistically analyse the relationship between the greenness and biodiversity of the environment and students’ sense of wellbeing. Literature research and our collected data will inform an intervention strategy that we will try out in a pilot.
Deliverables
- An advisory report including:
- The relationship between student wellbeing and the quality of the (acoustic) environment at Amsterdam Science Park.
- A correlation analysis between greenness and biodiversity.
- Audio collages of the acoustic landscape and spoken responses of students as a supplement to the report.
- An intervention strategy, with a pilot we carry out during Waag’s Landscape Festival 2023
Students
Zino Groen, Maria Loos, Julia Marinissen