Aug 26, 2011 - the World Heritage Site in Luang-Prabang, Lao PDR: Toward Its Soundscape .... Luang Prabang is a jewel of Southeast Asia. It is a town with ...
Kyoto University HSE Technical Report Series 170
Research Dissemination Workshop “The Quantitative and Qualitative Studies on the Sonic Environment of the World Heritage Site in Luang-Prabang, Lao PDR: Toward Its Soundscape Design”
August 26, 2011
Hosted by
National University of Laos
Kyoto University, Japan
Co-hosted by Kyoto University Global COE Program Global Center for Education and Research on Human Security Engineering for Asian Megacities
Research Dissemination Workshop “The Quantitative and Qualitative Studies on the Sonic Environment of the World Heritage Site in Luang-Prabang, Lao PDR: Toward Its Soundscape Design” Representative: Toshihito MATSUI Date: August 26th, 2011 Place: Meeting room in the governor’s office, Luang-Prabang, Lao PDR Organized by National University of Laos and Kyoto University Co-organized by the Global COE Program “Global Center for Education and Research on Human Security Engineering for Asian Megacities” Number of Participants: 15 Participants: Mr. Bounthan Sysouphan (Depury Head, Office to Governor), Ms. Vanpheng Keopanya (Director, National Museum Office), Mr. Bounlem Xayaphet (Director, Police Office), Mr. Soulaphon Philakoun (Deputy Director, Dept. of Natural Resources-Environment), Mr. Somlith Boubphapanya (Deputy Director, Dept. of International and culture), Mr. Anda Yangsenesay (Officer, Dept. of World Heritage), Ms. Chitsavanh Himpaphan (Officer, Urbanization Office), Mr. Symonkham Pranyasavad (Officer, Dept. of Transportation), Ms. Monic Anousaya (Officer, Department of Culture and Information), Mr. Nouphanh Keosouda (Officer, National Museum Office), Prof. Dexanourath Seneduangdeth (Vice Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Laos), Prof. Khammany Sourideth (Vice Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Laos), Mr. Saychai Syladeth (Deputy Head, Research and Post Graduate Studies Division, Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Laos), Prof. Kozo Hiramatsu (Director, JSPS London, Prof. Emeritus of Kyoto University), Dr. Toshihito Matsui (Representative of the GCOE project, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University),
Purpose and outline This workshop is aimed to disseminate the obtained results of the collaborated studies between Laos National University and Kyoto University with a support of local authorities to the officers in the province of Luang-Pranang, Lao PDR. Luang-Prabang is a jewel of Southeast Asia. It is a town with about 100,000 population located in north central part of Lao PDR being the capital of Luang Prabang Province. The traditional part of the town is located a peninsula forming a beautiful landscape and famous for numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Every day in the early morning after wooden bells are rung, hundreds of monks from the monasteries walk through the streets in the town collecting alms which local people donate on their knees. Luang Prabang is a magnificent example of the fusion of traditional Lao architecture and French provincial style houses. The town came to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The town has attracted a large number of tourists from overseas who love tranquillity and peaceful atmosphere of Luang Prabang. However, tourism provides the site with on top of economic development threat that it might damage what tourists expect in the site they visit. The steep increase in number of vehicles resulted in raising the level of noise due to traffic every year. Achievement and Results The number of participants in the workshop is fifteen including deputy governor and the directors concerning the studies and researchers. Firstly, Prof. Dexanourath Seneduangdeth indicated the motivation to keep the soundscape of the city based on its history and the results of interviews to residents. Secondly, Prof. Kozo Hiramatsu proposed a countermeasure to reduce the sound level in the city based on the simulated calculation by introducing electric vehicles. The presentation by Prof. Hiramatsu was interpreted into Lao language. After the presentations active questions and admiring comments were given by the officers in the province.
Presentation in the workshop
Participants in the workshop
研究成果公表ワークショップ 「世界遺産ルアンパバンの音環境に関する量的・質的研究 ―サウンドスケープデザインのために」 代 表 者：
松井利仁
開催日時：
2011 年 8 月 26 日
開催場所：
ルアンパバン州知事公舎会議室，ラオス
主
催：
ラオス国立大学，京都大学
共
催：
グローバル COE プログラム「アジア・メガシティの人間安全保障工学拠点」
参加人数：
15 名
参 加 者：
Mr. Bounthan Sysouphan（ルアンパバン州知事代理） ，Ms. Vanpheng Keopanya（博物館事務 所長），Mr. Bounlem Xayaphet（州警察署長），Mr. Soulaphon Philakoun（州資源・環境局 長代理），Mr. Somlith Boubphapanya（州国際文化局長代理），Mr. Anda Yangsenesay (州 世 界 遺 産 局 職 員 ) ， Ms. Chitsavanh Himpaphan ( 州 都 市 開 発 局 職 員 ) ， Mr. Symonkham Pranyasavad (州交通局職員)，Ms. Monic Anousaya (州文化情報局職員)，Mr. Nouphanh Keosouda (国立博物館職員)，Mr. Symonkham Pranyasavad (州交通局職員)，Ms. Monic Anousaya（州文化情報局職員），Prof. Dexanourath Seneduangdeth（ラオス国立大学社会 科学部副部長），Prof. Khammany Sourideth（ラオス国立大学社会科学部副部長），Mr. Saychai Syladeth（ラオス国立大学社会科学部卒後教育部門長代理），平松幸三（JSPS，ロ ンドン事務所長，京都大学名誉教授），松井利仁（GCOE プロジェクト代表，准教授，都市環 境工学専攻） ，
目的・概要 本ワークショップは，ラオス国立大学と京都大学 の共同研究の成果をルアンパバン州関係者に公表す ることを目的として開催された。 ルアンパバンには，多数の寺院とフランス植民地 時代の町並みが残る，山々に囲まれた伝統的な町で ある。毎朝，托鉢の列を見ることができ，1995 年 に世界文化遺産に登録されている。これに伴い，観 光客が大幅に増加し，自動二輪車やトゥクトゥク （3 輪タクシー）の増加による音環境の悪化に対し て UNESCO から改善を指摘されている。 シンポジウムの様子・得られた成果 ワークショップには，ルアンパバン州知事代理お よび関連する州部局の代表，そして研究チームを含 めて，15 名が参加した。 最初に，ラオス国立大学社会学部の Dexanourath Seneduangdeth 副部長から，ルアンパバンの音環境 を保全する意義について，ルアンパバンの歴史や住 民へのインタビューの結果に基づいて報告された。 次に，JSPS ロンドンセンター長の平松幸三京都大 学名誉教授から，電動トゥクトゥクおよび電動二輪 車を導入することによる，道路交通騒音の低減効果 について，実測およびシミュレーション計算結果に 基づいた提案がなされた。 報告後，州政府の参加者から，いくつかの質問と 研究成果を賞賛するコメントが寄せられた。
ワークショップでの発表の様子
出席者集合写真
Research Dissemination Workshop “The Quantitative and Qualitative Studies on the Sonic Environment of the World Heritage Site in Luang-Prabang, Lao PDR: Toward Its Soundscape Design” 13.00–15.00
26 August 2011
Meeting room in the governor’s office, Luang-Prabang, Lao PDR 13:00–13:10 Arrival of speakers and participants 13:10–13:40 “Comparison between the sound in the past and present” Prof. Dexanourath Seneduangdeth Vice Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Laos 13:40–14:10 “Impact of the introduction of electric vehicles on the traffic noise level” Prof. Kozo Hiramatsu Director, JSPS London, Prof. Emeritus of Kyoto University 14.10–14.50
Questions and Answers
14.50–15.00
Closing Ceremony
Organized by:
National University of Laos
Kyoto University
Co-organized by: Kyoto University Global COE Program Global Center for Education and Research on Human Security Engineering for Asian Megacities
PREFACE Luang Prabang is a jewel of Southeast Asia. It is a town with about 100,000 population located in north central part of Lao PDR being the capital of Luang Prabang Province and was formerly the capital of a kingdom until the present Lao government took over in 1975. The traditional part of the town is a peninsula where the Nam Khan River meets the Mekong River forming a beautiful landscape and famous for numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Every day in the early morning after wooden bells are rung, hundreds of monks from the monasteries walk through the streets in the town collecting alms which local people, mainly females, donate on their knees. Luang Prabang is a magnificent example of the fusion of traditional Lao architecture and French provincial style houses. It is said “its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.”(UNESCO) The town came to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The jewel town has attracted a large number of tourists from overseas who love tranquillity and peaceful atmosphere of Luang Prabang with its marvellous townscape and beautiful landscape of the surrounding mountains. However, tourism provides the site with on top of economic development threat that it might damage what tourists expect in the site they visit. Despite the great efforts made by the Luang Prabang Province Authorities which had successfully controlled the noise in the town, the steep increase in number of vehicles resulted in raising the level of noise due to traffic every year. Under the circumstance the governor of Luang Prabang Province decided to conduct the research on the present state of sonic environment in Luang Prabang and seek for the measure of noise control, in response to which National University of Laos and Kyoto University started collaborative works in 2009. The both parties did field works together with staffs of local authorities in Luang Prabang on the noise recording and noise measurement as well as interviewing locals and tourists. The project kicked off as a 2-year scheme and this is the report after the end of the first step of the project, but as can be seen easily the research leaves problems to be tackled at in the future research. Thus this is report is an interim report of the project.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The present research team express their gratitude to Mr. Bounheung Duangprchanh, the former governor of LuangPrabang Province for his approval and support to the study. Their thanks also go to Yasuhiro Kakihara, President/Managing Director Toyota Tsusho (Singapore) Pte.Ltd. and Dr. Itti Rittaporn, Toyota Tsusho Electronics (Thailand) Co.Ltd. for their support to make measurements of electric vehicles. Part of this research was conducted with the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (No.21401010) supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
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Contributors/ Researchers
Name and surname
Position/ Organizations
Remark
Assoc. Prof Dexanourath Seneduangdeth
Vice Dean Faculty of Social Sciences National University of Laos Vice Dean Faculty of Social Sciences National University of Laos Head of History and Archaeology Department Faculty of Social Sciences National University of Laos Deputy Head, Research and Post Graduate Studies Division Faculty of Social Sciences National University of Laos Officer Department of Culture and Information Louangprabang Province Officer National Museum of Louangprabang Louangprabang Province Officer World Heritage Management Office Louangprabang Province Officer Department of Transportation – Construction Louangprabang Province Officer Water Resources and Environment Office, Louangprabang Province Professor Emeritus Kyoto University, Japan
Researcher, project director researcher
Assoc. Prof. Dr Khammany Sourideth Assoc. Prof Saleumsack Phabouddy
Mr. Saychai Syladeth
Ms. Monic Anousaya
Mr. Nouphanh keosouda Mr. Sengthong Luyang Mr. Phonekeo Phatthana
Mr. Vuyang Yangxengyang Prof Dr. Kozo Hiramatsu
Dr. Toshihito Matsui Mr. Yotaro Krosawa Mr. Jun Arimoto
Associate Professor, Kyoto University, Japan Graduate Student, Kyoto University, Japan Student, Kyoto University, Japan
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researcher
researcher
member
member
member
member
member
Researcher, project supporter researcher member member
Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgements List of Contributors Table of Contents Introduction Motivation of the Research Objectives Methodology Review of Related Literature and Studies Related Literature Related Studies Change of Sonic Environment in Luang Prabang Increase of the Number of Vehicles and Travellers The Views of Local People on Sonic Environment in Luang Prabang Local Residents’ Proposals to Solve the Problems of Sonic Environment Planning of Sonic Environment in Luang Prabang as a World Heritage site— Impact of the Introduction of Electric Vehicles on the Traffic Noise Level— Methodology of Measurement and Prediction of Sound Level Results of Noise Level Prediction Conclusion and Recommendation References
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page 1 2 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 15 15 16 20 22 22 25 29 30
INTRODUCTION 1. Motivation of the Research Luang Prabang is the jewel of Indochina because of its beautiful nature, historic and cultural perspectives. Therefore, this unique local heritage was established to be a national heritage; then it was accepted and established by UNESCO in 1995 as a World Heritage Site because of the best-preserved traditional town in Southeast Asia according to 6 principles for being a historic and cultural heritage of UNESCO. Due to a famous World Heritage Site, it attracts many tourists stream to visit every season of the year. Therefore, this World Heritage city has been acknowledged as a world cultural tourist city. However, due to being a World Heritage and cultural tourist city, Luang Prabang has been pushed to development wave to improve facilities for tourist industry. As a result of development facilities led to change local context of economic and social context, including sonic environment. So, a real conundrum is how to maintain Luang Prabang as a World Heritage Site. Although Luang Prabang authorities are doing very good job to maintain its traditional townscape so far, Luang Prabang’s sonic environment which used to be calm and peaceful is more and more intruded by traffic noises and PA sounds. For example, the traffic volume of the road in the natural zones along the Mekong River banks has increased rapidly in the last few years letting the sound level of the car noise exceed the threshold tourists can suffer at and the beautiful scene of the Mekong River seen from the hotel veranda is deducted by the auditory ugliness. Music, which colours the space with its strong message, played by loudspeakers in restaurants and shops and propagated to the streets in the town is also ruining the traditional atmosphere of the jewel. Obviously, the auditory aspect of the jewel has been ignored. The significance of the traditional sonic environment of the town as a tourism resource is not properly understood. There should be quite a few sounds to be preserved in Luang Prabang which without taking adequate measures might be lost or contaminated in the future. The traditional and customary sonic environment has been complicated with engine sound and other noises which is considered as a sign of modernity. It would be safe to say that the decency of Luang Prabang is threatened and endangered by the noises and sounds having been brought in the recent years. This research programme intends first to conduct surveys in the town as to the present state of sonic environment and make recordings of sounds which characterise the town and represent the local residents’ everyday lives; particularly in the zone one of Heritage, which is controled with the strict rule of World Heritage. The programme also tries to find the sounds related to the history of Luang Prabang and the people’s memories of the past community lives. Then CDs of Luang Prabang Sounds will be composed. The programme in the end seeks, through collaboration with the local authorities, for filing public policy of tourism with local authorities to improve and preserve the sonic environment of Luang Prabang on the basis of the surveys and fieldworks. It is highly expected the results will benefit the tourism policy of Luang Prabang. 2. Objectives 1) To measure sound levels in Luang Prabang ‘World Heritage Site’ by using sound level meters; 2) To find out the source, type and impact of sound in Luang Prabang ‘World Heritage Site’; 5
3) To examine local people’s views on sonic environment in Luang Prabang by comparing between the sound in the past and present. 3. Methodology This research applied both social and technical methods to conduct in a yearround period, though not continuous, because it took place many different events and ceremonies in Luang Prabang. 1) Survey on physical sonic environment A. Measurements of sound levels in the town by means of sound level meter. Sound levels are measured at several points in the town in various occasions. The devices are provided by Kyoto University, Japan. B. Survey of sound sources in the town including counting traffic volume. 2) Survey on subjective sonic environment A. Interviewing local residents regarding their memory and impression on the sonic environment of the town. B. Interviewing tourists from different countries regarding their impression on the sonic environment of the town. 3) Survey on sound events In such a traditional town as Luang Prabang there should be a lot of events and ritual ceremonies making characteristic sounds which might stimulate local people’s memory and emotion. Recorded sounds will be filed as digital information and the CDs of Luang Prabang Sounds will be made. 4) Research Sites In Map 1 are shown the 1st zone of the World Heritage Site in Luang Prabang district, Luang Prabang province, Lao PDR which this research selected as the case of research site. Interview was conducted in Pakham and Xiengthong villages the location of which in the zone is shown in Map 2 of the Luang Prabang district.
Map 1: A World Heritage Site in Luang Prabang.
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Pakham village Xiengthong village
Map 2: Luang Prabang district: Case studies of Pakham and Xiengthong villages. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES This study aims to describe and analyze the Quantitative and Qualitative Studies on the Sonic Environment: Toward the Soundscape Design of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. This chapter presents the reviews of related literature and studies. 1. Related Literature The review of related literature for this study covers books, newspapers, journals, magazines, and websites that showed the views of social scientists and experts who described sonic environment and soundscape. The following related literature review are organized and chronologically presented. Soundscape is an environment of sound (or sonic environment) with emphasis on the way it is perceived and understood by the individual, or by a society. It thus depends on the relationship between the individual and any such environment. The term may refer to actual environments, or to abstract constructions such as musical compositions and tape montages, particularly when considered as an artificial environment (Barry Truax, editor. Second Edition, 1999. Originally published by the World Soundscape Project, Simon Fraser University, and ARC Publications, 1978. http://www.sfu.ca/sonic-studio/handbook/index.html) The study of soundscape is the subject of acoustic ecology. The idea of soundscape refers to both the natural acoustic environment, consisting of natural sounds, including animal vocalizations and, for instance, the sounds of weather and other natural elements; and environmental sounds created by humans, through musical composition, sound design, and other ordinary human activities including conversation, work, and sounds of mechanical origin resulting from use of industrial technology. The disruption of these acoustic environments results in noise pollution. The term "soundscape" can also refer to an audio recording or performance of sounds that create the sensation of experiencing a particular acoustic environment, or compositions created using the found sounds of an acoustic environment, either exclusively or in conjunction with musical performances. 7
According to the World Forum for Acoustic Ecology (WFAE, 1993), which is an international association of affiliated organizations and individuals, who share a common concern with the state of the world's soundscapes. The forum engaged in the study of the social, cultural and ecological aspects of the sonic environment. Within this framework of care for the sonic environment, WFAE to promote: a. Education in listening to the soundscape, sharpening aural awareness and deepening listeners' understanding of environmental sounds and their meanings. b. Research and study of all aspects of the soundscape. Some examples would be: monitoring and evaluating actions affecting and altering the quality of the sonic environment, studying the effects of technology on the acoustic environment, studying the significance of the electro-acoustic media (radio, TV, background and foreground music, etc.) and their ever increasing presence in the soundscape, studying attitudes towards silence in different cultures. c. Publishing and distributing information and research on Acoustic Ecology. d. Protecting and preserving existing natural soundscapes and times and places of quiet. e. Designing and creating healthy and acoustically balanced sonic environments.1 Mike Figgis (1998) also highlighted that there is one specific thing that was big moment concern to him in terms of film- making and in particular, in terms of sound. Figgis said that there was nothing in soundtrack. Sound related to cinema, bar, alcohol drinking and entertainment. To protect noise and film making, it should be considered sound system, technological creation, and level of listening.2 2. Related Studies The review of related studies for this research include dissertations, theses, research papers, articles, essays, reports and other official papers, which study about sonic environment or soundscape. The related studies are organized chronologically. 1) International Studies Based on an article about Soundscape: An Introduction to Acoustic Ecology, Kendall Wrightson (2000) 3 suggested that to understand more about soundscape, maybe you have studied sound in built environments, used sound in performance, in film or video, or researched sound under water and among animals. You may have noticed how important sound can be in communicating mood, meaning and context. Perhaps when listening to a “soundscape”—sound heard in a real or “virtual” environment—you have been transported to another time, another place. Conversely, maybe you have experienced the-here and-now even more acutely as a result of listening intently. Your awareness of sound—specifically your level of awareness of the acoustic environment at any given time—is an issue central to the interdiscipline of Acoustic Ecology (also known as ecoacoustics). Wrightson concluded that as a result, the meanings sound holds for the listener in contemporary soundscapes tend to be polarized into extremes—“loud” and “quiet”; noticed or unnoticed; good (I like) or bad (I don’t like). In the developed world, sound has less significance and the opportunity to experience “natural” sounds decreases with each generation due to the destruction of natural habitats. 1
http://wfae.proscenia.net/, accessed on 14 December 2010 Mike Figgis. (1998). The Silence: Absence of Sound. Institute of Francis, London. 3 Kendall Wrightson. (2000). Soundscape: An Introduction to Acoustic Ecology. Music Technology at London Guildhall University, England. 2
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One more interesting paper is the study of Bernd Rohrmann (2006) that completed exploratory study about Soundscapes in Public Places: Sound Levels and Social Interactions in Music Venues - Exploratory study in Australia. 4 This exploratory study is a small one and should not be 'over-judged'. The results are pretty obvious though: the soundscapes in pubs, restaurants and gyms are characterized by considerable sound levels; patrons have some problems with the fact that verbal communication is impeded; yet most of them adapt to that and generally like their chosen venue. Some customers specify their assessment, for example, they distinguish between replayed and live music, they respond differently to various music styles, and they have specific expectations regarding particular sections of a pub or gym. Also, familiarity of a place, friendly service and - in case of restaurants - food quality are likely to enhance the appraisal of a venue and counterbalance unpleasant soundscape features. The findings gained in this study can be interpreted as part of a wider context: Quiet localities have become rare, certainly in Australia's big cities, and a need for music in about every kind of public place seems to be postulated. The far-reaching cultural change regarding the soundscapes in public places - such as markets, pubs and restaurants, music venues, cinemas, theatres, teaching venues, shopping centres, sport venues, transportation facilities - is obvious. The empirical data induce manifold contemplations about the significance of an environment's 'serenity'. While technology-induced noise (e.g., car or aircraft or workshop noise) has gone down, society-induced noise sources (e.g., music in pubs or discos) have become far more frequent in about every 'metropolis'. May be, quietness is nowadays almost alien to urban people, given that many citizens have never experienced a quiet environment? And loud music is an essential activator and motivator for modern-day humans? Further research appears to be indicated. It would be worthwhile to widen the type of looked-at venues, to conduct more detailed sound measurements, to employ behavior observation methods, to explore the influence of people's age and gender, and to identify the relevance of the kind and the level of music exposure for the overall evaluation and acceptance of soundscapes in public places. Finally, it is intended to conduct related studies in other countries, thereby gaining insights into cross-cultural differences in the influence of music on soundscapes. As a same researcher, Bernd Rohrmann (2008) also conducted research on Soundscapes - Types and Impacts of Music Imparted in Public Places in Australia.5 The study focused on soundscape in public places - such as markets, pubs and restaurants, music venues, cinemas, theatres, teaching venues, shopping centres, sport venues, transportation facilities - have a particular 'soundscape' which affects visitors' perceptions and behaviors. For example, people in a restaurant encounter three kinds of soundscapes: the sounds created by other customers, the sounds from outside (the street), and the sounds provided by the music systems which are run in most public places; none of these soundscapes are under the control of the visitors. Thus the question arises, what do they actually desire, and do they like what they experience in this kind of environment? This study showed that, a. People-environment context: Almost all people going to a restaurant or shop or gym do so for a practical reason, e.g., eating or buying something or exercising; 4 5
http://www.rohrmannresearch.net/pdfs/rohrmann-sim.pdf Bernd Rohrmann (2008). Soundscapes - Types and Impacts of Music Imparted in Public
Places
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hearing music is not their primary aim. The music imparted there may entertain or disturb. So far, pertinent research mainly looked at two issues: impacts on the venue's function, and noise effects. Quietness as an environmental feature has obtained less attention. b. Empirical investigation: In socio-psychological field studies, demands and appraisals of supplied music were explored, surveying what sound levels do occur inside venues, whether customers want music to be present or absent; the desired content and level of music; their perceptions and evaluations of the actual music situation, and how the existing soundscapes relate to the purpose of their visit. In the first study, "Influence of music in cafes & restaurants" , 6 cafes and restaurants were looked at, and data collected through personal interviews of customers (N=72). The study "Sound levels and social interactions in music venues" , dealt with 3 types of venues: pubs, restaurants and gyms (3 each); N=32 qualitative interviews were conducted, plus enquiries with staff and management. A further study, "Music levels in Melbourne University eateries" , is underway In all studies sound measurements were carried out, recording both peak and average sound levels. c. Findings and interpretation: The results from study indicate that customers have specific preferences, and that their overall satisfaction with a restaurant visit is influenced by their evaluation of the music soundscape they encounter. Although the measured sound levels were substantial (Leq's up to 85 dB[A], with peaks well above 100), most customers accept these levels. In study , the sound exposure was similar; the interview data suggest that communication behavior changes in loud environments, for example, the use of words decreases while facial expressions become more essential. Yet the tolerance for 'noisy' settings appeared to be considerable - they are liked or at least tolerated, and quiet situations not much searched for. Study confirms the current trend of rather loud soundscapes in public environments. d. Practical implications: These findings can be interpreted as part of a wider context: Quiet localities have become rare, and a need for music in about every kind of public place seems to be postulated. Yet their is a price: It seems that the quality of human interactive communication in music-dominated environments is impaired. Also, the needs and preferences of customers versus venue staff is likely to differ. Further research needs to explicate these facets and then develop sociopsychological propositions for those who manage public places. 6 According to Brigitte Schulte-Fortkampf (2010), who studied Soundscape and Sound Design Tuning the New Ecology Using the Expertise of People’s Mind in Germany, the research’s paper highlighted that soundscape concept was introduced as a scope to rethink the evaluation of "noise" and its effects. The challenge was to consider the limits of acoustic measurements and to account for its cultural dimension introduced by Schafer’s neologism and research. Soundscape suggests exploring noise in its complexity and its ambivalence and its approach towards sound to consider the conditions and purposes of its production, perception, and evaluation, to understand evaluation of noise/ sound as an holistic approach. To discuss the contribution of Soundscape research means to focus on the meaning of sounds and its implicit 6
http://www.rohrmannresearch.net/pdfs/rohrmann-spx.pdf, accessed 14 December 2010
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assessments to contribute to the understanding that the evaluation through perceptual effects is a key issue. Analysis will place sound in context, with noise and sound linked to activity at realistic study sites. Besides the acoustical setting the listener sensational reality depends on the sociocultural background and the psychological dimension. The acoustical socialization (acoustical biography) and action frame of reference of the people concerned will influence environmental noise evaluation as well. Tools for the exploration of the Soundscape, microscopic as well as macroscopic, are needed. Beside the involvement of different disciplines it important to define areas that should built the platform in further development as economics, noise policystandards, combined effects, common protocols, cross cultural studies, education about Soundscape, combined measurement procedures, qualitative and quantitative parameters, including the character of sounds and cross cultural questionnaires, and also the importance of survey site selection has to be emphasized. The paper suggested new strategies and further recommendations in dealing with soundscape. The process of tuning the new ecology with respect to the expertise of people’s mind is related to the strategy of triangulation and provides the theoretical frame with regard to the solution of e.g. the change in an area. In other words: Approaching the field in this holistic manner is generally needed when research is concerned with unknown social worlds. For example, an effective and sustainable reduction of the number of highly annoyed people caused by noise is only possible with further scientific endeavors in the area of methods development and research of noise effects. Noise maps providing further information can help to obtain a deeper understanding of noise reactions and can help to reliably identify perception-related hot spots. Psychoacoustic maps are particularly interesting in areas where the noise levels are marginal below the noise level limits and offer an additional interpretation help with respect to the identification of required noise abatement measures. But, only the expertise of people involved can provide meaningful information. So far, the realization of field measurements is indispensable for the determination of psychoacoustic and perceptual parameter values. Dounglas Ballert. (2010) highlighted soundscape and urban soundscape in his article on Urban Soundscape: What Should a Public Space Sound Like? The term ‘soundscape’ encompasses all aspects of an acoustical environment and often is used to characterize the natural sounds in pristine outdoor environments. Soundscape planning and design also are critical for urban public spaces if they are to serve their intended purposes. Such urban places may include parks, mixed-use developments, entertainment venues, and outdoor monument and memorials. Within urban setting, street traffic, aircraft overflights, and other noise sources can be negatively affect to character and even prevent intended use of an outdoor facility. In addition, sounds generated at the facility can adversely affect both visitors and the site’s neighbors. Ballert also answered fundamental question in urban soundscape planning and design, “What should a public space sound like?” The answer depends upon numerous factors including historic and intended uses of the facility, the presence intruding noise sources, the size of the sit, the proximity of abutting land uses that may be affected by noise generated at the planed sit, and project’s budget. 2) Local Studies In Lao PDR, as reviewed by researchers, there is no specific study on soundscape or sound. However, there are some articles, rules, agreements and laws in relating to sound controlling or prevention in Lao PDR.
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a. Constitution of the Lao PDR (1991) Article 17: “all organizations and citizens must protect environment and natural resources: lands, underground, forests, fauna, water sources, and atmosphere.” b. Environmental Protection Law (1999) Article 1. Function of the Environmental Protection Law: The Environmental Protection Law specifies necessary principles, regulations and measures for managing, monitoring, restoring1 and protecting the environment in order to protect human health, including the protection of natural resources and the richness of nature, and to ensure the sustainable socio-economic development of the nation. Article 20. Pollution: Pollution refers to the state of any environment that [has suffered] physical, biological [or] chemical change because of substances or other contaminants in water, soil, or air exceeding the ambient standards as defined in the regulations, or that cause the environment to be polluted [or] cause adverse impact to the health and life of people, animals, plants and the environment. Article 21. Types of Pollution: Types of pollution include: water pollution, soil pollution, air pollution, chemical pollution, radioactive pollution, [and] pollution from waste, vibrations, noise, radiation, colours and odours. Pollution from vibrations, noise, radiation, colours and odours is considered a nuisance when these things exceed their respective prescribed standards and lead to adverse impact on the health and life of people, animals, plants and the environment. Article 22. Obligations for Pollution Control: All persons and organisations have an obligation to engage in pollution control. Persons engaging in production [or] business, such as industries, services, agriculture and forestry, handicrafts, and other operations that cause pollution shall utilize technologies and install the necessary pollution control facilities to meet the prescribed environmental quality standards. c. The Law on Urban Plans (1999) Article 4. Principles of Urban Planning: Urban planning shall be planned systematically and shall be conducted in collaboration and harmony among concerned sectors, local administrations and the people. Urban planning shall be consistent with the level of socio-economic development at each area, [and] shall ensure the security, safety, social order, hygiene, comfort, cleanliness, aesthetics, ethnic cultural heritage, and protection of the nation and the environment. Urban plans at the city level shall be consistent with urban plans at the provincial level, urban plans at the provincial level shall be consistent with urban plans at the level of [national geographical] regions, and urban plans at the regional level shall be consistent with national plans. Article 10. Urban Planning at the District Level: Urban Planning at the district level is the determination of land demarcation for the construction and expansion of cities by the allocation of areas for residences, offices, agriculture, industry, trade and services, road networks, transport, culture, sports, public parks, military and defence zones, public utilities, and others. d. Law on Tourisms (2005) Article 28. Entertainment: Entertainment consists of playing music, artistic performances, dances, singing songs and folksongs, playing international music, 12
and others, which display the unique culture and fine national traditions of the Lao PDR, [or] which are world-class erformances. Entertainment may be arranged in places of temporary accommodation, restaurants or at specific places as determined in detail in specific regulations. Article 58 Development of Tourism Cities: In a tourism city, socio-economic development shall give priority to tourism development. The development of a tourism city shall focus on the promotion of investment, the development of infrastructure, other facilities [and] human resources, the creation of awareness of tourism among citizens, land use, [and] the development of a clean, beautiful and orderly city to attract tourists. In 2010, the Department of Environment, Water Resource and Environment Administration (WREA), Prime Minister’s Office developed Agreement on the National Environmental Standards. Ambient Environmental Standards means a value which specifies the quality of ambient environment in term of concentration or level of a parameter in an environmental media, generally soil, water, air and noise. This agreement highlighted noise standards below:
Table 1 Occupational Noise Standards of Lao PDR Standards Methods of Measurement Maximum Sound Level (Lmax) Equivalent Sound Level (Leq) should not exceed 115 dB (A) from fluctuating Noise LAeq 24h not exceeding 70 dB (A) Equivalent Sound Level (Leq) from Steady Noise
Table 2 Environmental Noise Standards of Lao PDR 6:00-18:00 18:00-22:00 Quiet areas: hospital, libraries, treatment places, kindergarten and 50 45 school Type of Area Standards Value in dB (A) Residential areas: hotels and 55 55 houses Commercial and service areas 70 70 Small industrial factories located 70 70 in residential areas
13
22:00-6:00 40
45 50 50
Table 3 Noise Pollution Standards for Moving Noise Sources 1) Noise Standards for Motor Boats: Standards 100 dB(A) at 5 meters from the boat’s exhaust pipe Conduct the test twice and use the highest standard measured. If the difference is higher than 2 dB(A), perform the test again.
Method of Measurement Diesel engines; accelerate until the engine reaches its highest rounds per minute. Benzene engine; accelerate to ¾ of the maximum round.
2) Noise Standards for Vehicles: Type of Standards Vehicles Measured at 7.5 meters: not Diesel exceeding 100 dB(A) vehicle Measured at 0.5 meters: not exceeding 100 dB(A) Benzene Car used in ways while it stays vehicle still and its engine is running without sound of horn.
3) Noise Standards for Motorcycles: Standards Measured at 0.5 meters: not exceeding 95 dB(A) for a car used in ways, while it stays still and its engine is running without sound of horn
Method of Measurement Accelerate until the engine reaches maximum speed Measuring while parking the car at no load by acceleration the engine to ¾ of maximum rpm
Method of Measurement - The engine shall be accelerated to be at ¾ of the maximum rounds if the engine has the maximum rounds of not more than 5000 rpm. - The engine shall be accelerated to be at ½ of the maximum rounds of more than 5000 rpm.
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CHANGE OF SONINC ENVIRONMENT IN LUANG PRABANG 1. Increase of the Number of Vehicles and Travellers Since Luang Prabang became a world heritage site tourists have increased very fast. As a result, service sectors in this town such as restaurants, guesthouses, hotels, tourism companies, massages, coffee shop and also vehicles have increased, too. According to statistic of district plan in the heritage site of Luang Prabang (see table 1) showed that in 2009, there are 30 villages, which consisted of 3960 households with population of 20920 people. There are a lot of services in this area such as 26 tourism companies, 28 hotels, 157 guesthouses, 65 restaurants, 412 shops, 11 massages, and 12 internet centers. In addition, there are many places to tour in the town such as a national museum (a former Royal Palace), 443 conservative houses, 154 temples and other cultural and natural places like Phousy Mountain, Nam Khan River and Mekong River views, for instance; which induces tourists who stream to visit here traveling all day until late nights.
Table 3 Statistics of district plan in the heritage site of Luang Prabang in 2009 hotel
Village name
Hou sehold
populat ion
1
Xiengthong
38
218
2 3
Khili Phoneheuan g Watsene Watnong Xiengmuan e Chumkhong Pakham Hoxieng Watthath Phabathtai Mano Pongkham Thathluang Thongchale un Aphai Aham Khamyong Visoun Meunna Naviengkha m Thatbosot Viengmai Phanluang Meuangna Viengkeo Viengxai Phonphaeng Phosaath Xiengmaen Total
38 86
208 467
54 76 60
376 308 290
64 108 76 61 242 371 205 173 55
64 682 464 370 1254 1063 1253 973 324
73 67 69 142 103 235
386 344 358 752 579 1301
114 332 307 322 84 90 151 164
752 1742 1770 1940 450 446 853 915
3960
20902
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
shop Massag e
Guest house 1
restaur ant
1
3 5
1
5 2
2 2
7 14 20
2 7 12
13 6 30
11 6 17 14
3 7 2 13
5 5 7 7
2 2
17 13 8 13 18 19 8 18 6
3 5
6
1 1 2
7 1 5
3
2
3
3
2 2 2 1 2 5 1 2
5
7 8 16 20 18 25
Inter net cafe 1
1 4
6 1
1
Touris m Compa ny 1
temp le
Conser ve. house
10
17
1
7 14
9 24
4 2 5
6 4 14
34 34 31
4 2
5 12 4 7
27 40 16 28
3
3
5
24 15
4 3 2 4 6
22 10 4 18 23
1
1
1 1
1 1
1
5
2 1
6
2
31 19 22 30 18 13 4
65
412
3 8
28
157
5 4 1
11
12
26
2 33 154
12 5 4 22
15 443
Sources: World heritage office in Luang Prabang, Tourism, Commercial and Cultural Departments.
15
2. The Views of Local People on Sonic Environment in Luang Prabang In order to examine local people’s views on sonic environment in Luang Prabang, the research team has visited this research site many times to participate and observe local context; including customary ceremonies such as Boun Pee Mai Lao (Lao new year) and other local activities like everyday practices at the site in the morning, afternoon, evening and night times as well. Beside informal interview of local people, formal interview was organized in two villages Pakham village and Xiengthong village. The 64 locals who were interviewed included 43,8% of male and 56,3% of female; which 23,4% of them is single, 68,8% is married, and 7,8% are devoiced and widow. Target group of interview could divide in three groups, about 36% are aged between 16-30 years old, about 41% are aged between 31-55 years old and about 23% are aged between aged more than 55 years old. The interviewees are different of occupations; including 23% of government official, 19% of trader, 11% of seller, and also 22% of retired people and 16% of student (see Figure 1). In addition, the interviewees are different educational levels which more than half of them are secondary school and high school, 14% is primary school, 14% is undergraduate school (see figure 2 below )
Figure 1: Occupation of interviewees
16
Figure 2: Education of interviewees
On the whole, Luang Prabang people live in customary and traditional ways of life. Most of them, particularly aged people love peaceful atmosphere. According to local residents, fifteen years ago Luang Prabang (before becoming World Heritage site) was still lack of tourist, vehicles and restaurants, therefore it was quite noiseless. At that time, a traditional sound that they usually had heard was the drum sound from the top of Phousy Mountain, which considered as an alarm for Luang Prabang people. Residents who live near and surround Phousy Mountain said they had usually heard the drum sound since very early morning started at 3 a.m., 6 a.m., and 9 a.m; then at 12 o’clock, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m., and 12 p.m. Beside drum sound, in the morning they had often heard bird sounds from the jungle of the mountain. As the time went on, social economic development leads to change local environment, including natural environment and social environment; therefore, sonic environment has also changed. According to interviewees, residents who live surround Phousy Mountain still have heard the drum sound everyday as alarm. However, sometimes residents who live close to the road and the market do not hear drum sound during the daytime because of vehicle sound and people’s voices. While vehicle sound has increased, natural sound like bird sound has also increased too. As an old man named Onkeo Mungkuddeth who was 70 years old revealed, “In comparison with 15 years ago, nowadays there are many birds in the town, particularly at Phousy Mountain; this is considered to be a result of government’s regulation prohibiting gun usage to hunt animals, including birds; so the number of birds has gradually increased....” Nonetheless, he also criticized young people in the past that often drove recklessly and made terrible sound, and compared with recent days that “Teenagers in the past before Luang Prabang became a World Heritage Site often drove very fast and they sometimes raced motorbikes late at night. In contrary, even though the vehicle number has increased now, it does not make noise late at night as in the past thanks to the strict transportation rule, provincial authorities’ orders and instructions responding to World Heritage regulation in Luang Prabang.” Based on interviewees, 39% of interviewees reported that the most interesting sound is music, which includes 25% likes general music Lao music, Thai music and 17
international music; 3% likes all kinds of Lao music traditional and modern Lao music; but about 11% specifically likes only traditional music. The significant data is that all people who interested in traditional music are only adults who age more than 30 years old. In addition, they are interested in monks’ singing, monks’ drums, people’s talking, animal sound, natural sound, and soft sound of vehicle (See Table 4).
Table 4 The most interesting sound for local people Most interesting sound Age 31-55 y
18-30 y Most interesting sound
general music
traditonal music
Lao music
animal sound
people's talking
soft sound vehicle
Natural sound
Monks' singing
Monks'drum
Total
Count % within Most interesting sound % within Age % of Total Count % within Most interesting sound % within Age % of Total Count % within Most interesting sound % within Age % of Total Count % within Most interesting sound % within Age % of Total Count % within Most interesting sound % within Age % of Total Count % within Most interesting sound % within Age % of Total Count % within Most interesting sound % within Age % of Total Count % within Most interesting sound % within Age % of Total Count % within Most interesting sound % within Age % of Total Count % within Most interesting sound % within Age % of Total
18
56+ y
Total
9
3
4
16
56.3%
18.8%
25.0%
100.0%
39.1% 14.1% 0
11.5% 4.7% 5
26.7% 6.3% 2
25.0% 25.0% 7
.0%
71.4%
28.6%
100.0%
.0% .0% 0
19.2% 7.8% 1
13.3% 3.1% 1
10.9% 10.9% 2
.0%
50.0%
50.0%
100.0%
.0% .0% 4
3.8% 1.6% 3
6.7% 1.6% 0
3.1% 3.1% 7
57.1%
42.9%
.0%
100.0%
17.4% 6.3% 5
11.5% 4.7% 0
.0% .0% 3
10.9% 10.9% 8
62.5%
.0%
37.5%
100.0%
21.7% 7.8% 2
.0% .0% 2
20.0% 4.7% 0
12.5% 12.5% 4
50.0%
50.0%
.0%
100.0%
8.7% 3.1% 0
7.7% 3.1% 4
.0% .0% 1
6.3% 6.3% 5
.0%
80.0%
20.0%
100.0%
.0% .0% 2
15.4% 6.3% 4
6.7% 1.6% 3
7.8% 7.8% 9
22.2%
44.4%
33.3%
100.0%
8.7% 3.1% 1
15.4% 6.3% 4
20.0% 4.7% 1
14.1% 14.1% 6
16.7%
66.7%
16.7%
100.0%
4.3% 1.6% 23
15.4% 6.3% 26
6.7% 1.6% 15
9.4% 9.4% 64
35.9%
40.6%
23.4%
100.0%
100.0% 35.9%
100.0% 40.6%
100.0% 23.4%
100.0% 100.0%
However, in the wake of social and economic development of Luang Prabang, excessive sound has been created effecting on local residents in their everyday life. Results of the interview tell 68% of interviewees said they most disliked among the sounds local residents faced recently vehicle sounds; the majority of them disliked vehicle sound in general for the reason that this area had a lot of traffic from early in the morning until late at night; and some of them particularly hated racing vehicle sound and they seriously criticized it even though the occurrence was not frequent. In addition, 14% of interviewees displayed that the most disliked sound is people’s voice with argument even though it was also scarce to occur. Moreover, some of them revealed that they disliked loud music, particularly foreign music, that teenagers often played with extreme loud volume having adults and elderly people very annoyed (see Table 5).
Table 5: The most disliked sound for local people Most dislike sound 18-30 y Most dislike sound
Racing vehicle sound
vehicle sound
loud music
arguement
firework sound
foreign music
Total
Count % within Most dislike % within Age % of Total Count % within Most dislike % within Age % of Total Count % within Most dislike % within Age % of Total Count % within Most dislike % within Age % of Total Count % within Most dislike % within Age % of Total Count % within Most dislike % within Age % of Total Count % within Most dislike % within Age % of Total
sound
sound
sound
sound
sound
sound
sound
19
3 30.0% 13.0% 4.8% 9 27.3% 39.1% 14.3% 2 66.7% 8.7% 3.2% 9 64.3% 39.1% 14.3% 0 .0% .0% .0% 0 .0% .0% .0% 23 36.5% 100.0% 36.5%
Age 31-55 y 4 40.0% 15.4% 6.3% 17 51.5% 65.4% 27.0% 1 33.3% 3.8% 1.6% 3 21.4% 11.5% 4.8% 1 100.0% 3.8% 1.6% 0 .0% .0% .0% 26 41.3% 100.0% 41.3%
56+ y
Total
3 30.0% 21.4% 4.8% 7 21.2% 50.0% 11.1% 0 .0% .0% .0% 2 14.3% 14.3% 3.2% 0 .0% .0% .0% 2 100.0% 14.3% 3.2% 14 22.2% 100.0% 22.2%
10 100.0% 15.9% 15.9% 33 100.0% 52.4% 52.4% 3 100.0% 4.8% 4.8% 14 100.0% 22.2% 22.2% 1 100.0% 1.6% 1.6% 2 100.0% 3.2% 3.2% 63 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
3. Local residents’ proposals to solve the problems of sonic environment Government authorities should strictly control and regularly check CD shops and restaurant to warn them not to turn up speaker loudly, particularly foreign songs and not to turn up over their house. Government authorities or policemen should regularly check vehicles to strictly control transportation to stop driver who does not follow the rule. Government authorities should control import of vehicle. Local authorities, teachers, parents should pay attention to train children, students to understand problem of sonic environment in the town. Tourist authorities should control tourists not to tour/travel over late, which disturb local people, residents and also other tourists who take a have a rest. Should promote listen Loa music, particularly traditional music such as Cuptum Luangphabang, Cupslam-samsao, etc.
Sex
Valid
male femal Total
Frequency 28 36 64
Percent 43.8 56.3 100.0
Valid Percent 43.8 56.3 100.0
Cumulative Percent 43.8 100.0
Status
Valid
single married devoiced widow Total
Frequency 15 44 1 4 64
Percent 23.4 68.8 1.6 6.3 100.0
Valid Percent 23.4 68.8 1.6 6.3 100.0
Cumulative Percent 23.4 92.2 93.8 100.0
Age
Valid
18-30 y 31-55 y 56+ y Total
Frequency 23 26 15 64
Percent 35.9 40.6 23.4 100.0
20
Valid Percent 35.9 40.6 23.4 100.0
Cumulative Percent 35.9 76.6 100.0
Occupation
Valid
government official trader retired people student seller driver farmer worker tourist guide Total
Frequency 15 12 14 10 7 2 1 2 1 64
Percent 23.4 18.8 21.9 15.6 10.9 3.1 1.6 3.1 1.6 100.0
21
Valid Percent 23.4 18.8 21.9 15.6 10.9 3.1 1.6 3.1 1.6 100.0
Cumulative Percent 23.4 42.2 64.1 79.7 90.6 93.8 95.3 98.4 100.0
PLANNING OF SONIC ENVIRONMENT IN LUANG PRABANG AS A WORLD HERITAGE SITE ---IMPACT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE TRAFFIC NOISE LEVEL--The aim of this research is to grasp the state of noise level due to tuktuks and motorcycles and predict the noise level in the case that electric tuktuks are introduced in the town to reduce the noise level. 1. Methodology of Measurement and Prediction of Sound Level. 1) The study area The study area was the 1st zone of the World Heritage Site in Luang Prabang district, Luang Prabang province, Lao PDR, as is shown in Figure 1 which is the same area as the interviews were conducted. The sites 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 are located along the ring road with anti-clockwise on way traffic. The site 1 is located in the middle of night market zone where no traffic is allowed after 1700 hours till midnight. Most of the measurements were done on the 11th and 12th of October, 2010.
Figure 1 Measurement sites of sound level and traffic volume in the the 1st zone of the World Heritage Site in Luang Prabang 2) Measurement of acoustic power levels of various vehicles Sounds of motorcycles, cars and long vehicles, 10n to 20 sounds each, were recorded by means of sound level meters (ONOSOKKI, LA-2560) and IC recorders (Roland, R-09) and their traveling speeds were also measured. Measurement of 1/3 octave band power level was conducted in the laboratory of Kyoto University using 1/3 octave band sound level meter (RION, NA-27). Since the power level of vehicle is dependent on the traveling speed, the measurement was adjusted for the traveling speed. The power levels of a tuktuk and an electric tuktuk were measured in Bangkok in the same way. They were used as commercial purpose in the town. The power level of an electric motorcycle (YAMAHA, EC-03) was measured in Kyoto in the same way as above. Figure 2 shows the tuktuk, left, and the electric tuktuk, right, used for the measurement. Figure 3 presents mean A-weighted spectra of different vehicles traveling at the speed of 20km/h.
22
3) Measurement of traffic volume Ten minutes traffic volume of each category of vehicles was measured during the daytime at the measurement sites of Figure 1. Times of a day of measurement were 600, 700, 800, 900, 1130, 1300, 1500, 1700, 1800 and 1900 hours. Time 1130 was chosen for the reason that the traffic volume increased at this time because school children commuted for their lunch. Two of the results of traffic volume measurement are shown in Figures 4 and 5. The site 2 being located near an elementary school had a peak of traffic volume at 1130 when the school children commuted home for lunch. They were taken by their parents or caregivers. The site 9 being located at the road with one way traffic had a steep peak of traffic volume at 1700 when the Sisavangvon Street was blocked for the night market. It was the time of going home and drivers had to detour. At all the measurement sites the traffic was dominated by motorcycles as seen in Figure 6, and at the sites 1, 2, 3 and 10 the proportion of tuktuk was higher than at the other sites.
Figure 2 The tuktuk, left, and the electric tuktuk, right, used for the measurement of power level in Bangkok.
Figure 3 Mean A-weighted spectra of vehicles traveling at the speed of 20km/h. 23
4) Measurement of traveling speed Vehicles’ traveling speeds were measured at the sites 4, 6, and along the river from the site 3 to 8 using stopwatch. On the basis of the results of the measurement of vehicles’ traveling speeds, they were determined as shown in Table 1 in order to carry out the prediction procedure.
Figure 4 Traffic volume change in a day at the site 2 located near an elementary school.
Figure 5 Traffic volume change in a day at the site 9 located along a road with one way traffic.
Figure 6 A picture of the scene of site 6 at 800 hours. Most of the vehicles traveling were motorcycles. 24
Table 1 Vehicle speed used for the calculation of power level. Speed, km/h Type of vehicle tuktuk motorcycle car & long vehicle Sites 1-5, 8-10 20 20 20 Site 7 20 30 30 Sites 6A, 6B 600-1600 20 30 30 1700-1900 20 20 20
5) Measurement of road traffic noise level. Continuous equivalent sound pressure levels with the averaging time of 10 minutes, LAeq,10min, were measured by means of sound level meters (RION, NL-31, ONO SOKKI, LA-5560, LA-2560) at the sites shown in Figure 1. The daytime LAeq, Ldays were calculated from the 10 measurements from 600 to 1800. 6) Sound mapping of continuous equivalent sound pressure level A sound map of LAeq was drawn on the basis of the measurements described above and the effect of introduction of electric vehicles on the traffic noise level was investigated. ISO 9613-2 was applied for the prediction of sound propagation. SoundPLAN (ONO SOKKI) was used to draw the sound map and 3-Dimensional GIS data were constructed on the basis of the ‘Heritage Preservation and Development Master Plan’ of the Luang Prabang district bureau. The followings were the assumptions for calculation. a. Reflexion time of sound: 3 times, b. Height of sound level measurement: 1.2m, c. Noise sources were only located along the trunk road shown in Figure 1 as bold line. d. Noise sources were point source at the height of 0.3m in the centre of the road. e. Building heights were 3m for low level house, 6m for 2 stories house, 9m for higher buildings. f. Tree height: 8m, g. Tree’s transmission loss: 0.05B/m, h. Ground surface: perfect reflexion on the road surface and perfect absorption on other surface. 2. Results of Noise Level Prediction 1) Check of the prediction accuracy The comparison of Ldays calculated from the 10 measurements from 600 to 1800 and the predicted Lday is shown in Table 2. The differences between the predictions and the measurements were within 2.4dB and the average of the difference was 1.3dB. From this result it would be safe to say that the accuracy of the prediction calculation is sufficiently high to investigate the effect of countermeasure for noise reduction by means of introduction of electric vehicles.
25
Table 2 The difference between the prediction and measurement of noise level Site 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Average
Measurement, dB ---64.3 61.5 63.2 65.2 67.3 65.2 58.3 65.4 59.9
Prediction, dB 65.2 64.8 60.0 64.2 65.1 69.4 65.1 60.7 63.0 61.7
Difference, dB ---0.5 −1.5 1.0 −0.1 2.1 −0.1 2.4 −2.4 1.8 1.3
2) Prediction of noise reduction due to the introduction of electric vehicles Figure 7 indicates the change of sound maps concerning the daytime continuous equivalent sound pressure level, Lday, from 0600 to 1800 hours before and after the introduction of electric vehicles. In this calculation it is assumed that all the tuktuks and motorcycles are changed to electric tuktuks and electric motorcycles. It can be seen from the maps that the sound levels along the roads mostly exceed 60dB before the introduction of electric vehicles and the introduction of electric vehicles decrease the levels below 55dB which is the Environmental Noise Standards of Lao PDR applied for residential area. The daytime noise level, Lday, is an averaged level over the period from 0600 to 1800 hours. Even when the maximum noise levels of limited number of noise events are high the average level can remain moderate level. As is the case in tuktuk it generates particularly noise with high level as can be seen in Figure 3 and although its proportion in the traffic volume is low, they dominate the maximum noise level in the town, which means it is expected to make more reduction of noise level by means of the introduction of electric vehicles. Figure 8 indicates tree cases of noise reduction caused by introduction of electric vehicles. In all cases tuktuks are all electric, 100%. In the top figure, no motorcycle is electric, in the middle a half of motorcycles are electric and in the bottom all the motorcycles are electric. When motorcycle is not electric, noise reduction in the northeast area is expected to be over 5dB. This is because the percentage of tuktuk in the traffic volume is comparatively higher in the area. In the case all the motorcycles are electric the noise reduction of 5dB is achieved in most of the area of the 1st zone of World Heritage site and in the northeast part of the zone which is important from the point of view of tourism noise reduction is about 8dB. In the middle where 50% of motorcycles are electric, about the third of the zone will enjoy the noise reduction of 5B. The bottom figure of Figure 8 shows the level difference of the two figures of Figure 7. When motorcycles change all electric the noise reduction in the other area of the zone is expected to be 3 to 4 dB, which strongly suggests that the noise reduction by means of the introduction of electric vehicles should be most effective when not only tuktuks but also motorcycles are replaced by electric motorcycles.
26
Figure 7 Sound maps concerning the daytime noise level, Lday, before (top) and after (bottom) the introduction of electric vehicles.
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Figure 8 Impact of introduction of electric vehicles on noise level in the zone. Tuktuks are all electric and 0% of motorcycle is electric (top), 50% of motorcycles (moddle) and 100% of motorcycles are electric (bottom). 28
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The Lao and Japanese researchers carried out collaborative studies on the sonic environment of the World Heritage site of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The studies consists of physical measurement of sonic environment, interview to local people asking about their impressions and opinions of sonic environment of Luang Prabang and the impact of the introduction of electric vehicles in the town. Interview to local people made it clear that the sonic environment of Luang Prabang has been substantially improved after the nomination of Luang Prabang in the list of World Heritage. That is one of the fruits of the local authorities’ policy and efforts to control reckless driving youngsters used to do before the nomination. But after the nomination as the number of foreign tourist increases the sonic environment has changed to be noisier in a different manner. The music restaurants and shops play has changed to western loud music and the number of vehicles such as tuktuk and motorcycle has increased to make loud noise late at night. Local people, in particular comparatively aged people, complain very much about these noises. Local people’s proposal to control noise in the town may be classified in two categories. One is to educate people including tourists. They say people driving vehicles should realise that they could disturb others in the night time. They also say people should listen to Lao music rather than western music. They request local authorities to control the traffic during midnight. Sound maps of the 1st zone of World Heritage site of Luang Prabang were drawn on the basis of calculation using a kind of software with the input data of the geographical and acoustic information of the town. The calculated results were compared with the measurements and found to be within the margin of allowable error. Measurement of noise level tells that the present state of noise in the zone is for the most part due to tuktuks and motorcycles, particularly the latter’s impact is big. Noise levels were calculated on the assumption that electric tuktuks and motorcycles were introduced in the zone and it was found that the noise levels would become lower than the level of noise standard of Lao PDR for the residential area. It was also found that if the motorcycles were replaced by electric vehicles the noise reduction in the town will be most sufficient. Electric vehicles’ characteristics that the shorter cruising range and lower travelling speed will not be a serious disadvantage as transportation in the town of Luang Prabang whose size is within a radius of a few km. Moreover, Loa PDR generates affluent electricity and exports it to neighbouring countries. Usage of electricity as fuel of transportation is considered to be beneficial to Lao economy. The policy of controlling sonic environment of Luang Prabang should more or less need traffic control in the first zone of World Heritage site. Thanks to the geographical condition of the zone, traffic control in the zone does not seem to be a very difficult task. However, it is necessary to carry out more research for the realisation of traffic control and noise control as concrete measures. Finally, the researchers having participated in the project hope this research would be of some contribution for the preservation of World Heritage site of Luang Prabang.
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REFERENCES Ballert, Dounglas. (2010). Urban Soundscape: What Should a Public Space Sound Like?. Massachusetts Environmental Noise Consulting Firm, USA: Harris Mailler and Hason Inc. Brigitte Schulte-Fortkamp. (2010). Soundscape and Sound Design Tuning the New Ecology Using the Expertise of People’s Mind. Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Engineering Acoustics/ Psychoacoustics and Noise Effects, TU Berlin, Germany. Department of Environment, Water Resource and Environment Administration. (2010). Agreement on the National Environmental Standards. Lao PDR. Figgis, Mike. (1998). The Silence: Absence of Sound. Institute of Francis, London. ISO 9613-2，“Acoustics - Attenuation of sound during propagation outdoors – Part 2,” 1996. Luang Phabang, “Heritage Preservation and Development Master Plan,” 2001. National Assembly of Lao PDR. (1991). Constitution. Vientiane, Lao PDR. _________________________. (1999). Environmental Law. Vientiane, Lao PDR. _________________________. (1999). Urban Plans Law. Vientiane, Lao PDR. _________________________. (2000). Road Traffic Law. Vientiane, Lao PDR. _________________________. (2005). Law on Tourisms. Vientiane, Lao PDR. _________________________. (2007). Electricity Law. Vientiane, Lao PDR. Rohrmann, Bernd. (2006). Soundscapes in Public Places: Sound Levels and Social Interactions in Music Venues - Exploratory Study. University of Melbourne, Behavioral Sciences, Australia. _______________. (2008). Soundscapes - Types and Impacts of Music Imparted in Public Places. University of Melbourne, Australia. Wrightson, Kendall. (2000). An Introduction to Acoustic Ecology. Music Technology at London Guildhall University, England. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundscape http://wfae.proscenia.net/ http://www.rohrmannresearch.net/pdfs/rohrmann-spx.pdf http://www.hmmh.com/cmsdocuments/urban_soundscape-deb.pdf http://www.na.gov.la/ UNESCO: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/479
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Kyoto University HSE Technical Report Series 170
Research Dissemination Workshop “The Quantitative and Qualitative Studies on the Sonic Environment of the World Heritage Site in Luang-Prabang, Lao PDR: Toward Its Soundscape Design” 研究成果公表ワークショップ 「世界遺産ルアンパバンの音環境に関する量的・質的研究： 地域の音環境デザインを目指して」 Date: August 26, 2011 Location: Meeting room in the governor’s office, Luang-Prabang, Lao PDR Hosted by National University of Laos and Kyoto University Co-hosted by Kyoto University Global COE Program “Global Center for Education and Research on Human Security Engineering for Asian Megacities”
Office Address: C1-3-182, Katsura Campus, Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan Tel: +81-75-383-3412/Fax: +81-75-383-3418
Kyoto University Global COE Program Global Center for Education and Research on Human Security Engineering for Asian Megacities 京都大学グローバル COE プログラム アジア・メガシティの人間安全保障工学拠点
