Research on the Perception and Evaluation of Soundscape in Zibo Traditional Villages: An Example of Shangduanshi Village

Traditional villages are rich in soundscape resources. Taking Shangduanshi Village in Zibo as an example, this study conducted objective measurements and subjective evaluations of its soundscape through on-site investigations, soundwalks, questionnaire surveys, and correlation analysis. The results show that the overall sound pressure level in the village is relatively low, creating a tranquil rural atmosphere. However, the sound pressure level in some areas exceeds the 55 dB(A) limit specified in China’s current Environmental Noise Quality Standards (GB 3096–2008). Subjectively, natural sounds were perceived more frequently than artificial or daily-life sounds. Specifically, the perception frequency was highest for the sound of flowing water, followed by birdsong and labor-related sounds; in contrast, the perception frequencies of folk art performances and children playing were the lowest. Regarding soundscape preference, natural sounds and daily-life sounds received relatively high preference ratings. Among them, respondents expressed the strongest preference for the sound of flowing water, followed by birdsong, rainfall, and folk art performances. In this traditional village, there is a notable consistency between respondents’ perception and preference of sound sources. Two primary factors emerged from the overall evaluation of the soundscape: pleasantness and comfort. Furthermore, soundscape preference and rural soundscape perception significantly and positively predict place attachment, whereas perception frequency alone does not significantly predict place attachment. These findings offer evidence-based recommendations for the conservation and adaptive utilization of traditional villages in Zibo, as well as for soundscape integration in the planning and design of beautiful countryside initiatives.