Exploring the relationship between acoustic environmental quality and civic engagement against environmental noise: Outline of a study design from an equity perspective Natalie Riedel 1 University of Münster, Faculty of Geosciences, StadtLabor(UrbanLab)Münster Heisenbergstr. 2 D-48149 Münster Germany

ABSTRACT Intractable noise exposure has been related to lacking perceived noise control that may deter residents from adopting active coping strategies, e.g. civic engagement against environmental noise. Conversely, environmental stimuli conferring perceived environmental control could be conducive for cognitive resources relevant for civic engagement. Given unequal noise exposures and coping options, civic engagement and participation in planning processes are crucial for environmental justice, however. Exploring the relationship between acoustic environmental quality and civic engagement could therefore deliver an intervention point to achieve more environmental justice. In response to local specifics in the City of Münster, this project shall develop a study design that elaborates on (1) residents’ controllability perceptions at home and engagement-specific cognitions, (2) the qualification of ‘restorative’ as places of behavioural controllability, and (3) the potential compensatory impact of restorative places on uncontrollability perceptions at home and behavioural sequelae. In view of the research objective, the study itself shall contribute to residents’ empowerment, thereby increasing procedural environmental justice. The study design involves information and communication technologies in order to enhance social inclusion. In this contribution, we aim to discuss our study design from an equity perspective and will present preliminary results of our feasibility test.

1. INTRODUCTION

Intractability, chronicity, and unpredictability of noise exposure have been related to noise-induced helplessness or lacking perceived (traffic noise) control. [1] Uncontrollability perceptions may result in social, emotional and behavioural patterns unfavourable to civic engagement aimed at improving environmental quality through planning institutions (‘institutional coping’). [2] Withdrawal, resignation and passivity in response to uncontrollable noise stressors are more likely instead. Participation is, however, at the core of procedural environmental justice. If civic engagement reflects and/or follows from perceived control over one’s environment, those affected by uncontrollable environmental noise stimuli might rather refrain from institutional coping. Therefore, disproportionate exposure to environmental noise could be paralleled by disproportionate participation, thereby aggravating environmental health inequities. [3]

1 natalie.riedel@uni-muenster.de

Unlike the pathogenetic emphasis on noise as an “uncontrollable” risk factor, soundscape research shifts the focus from harmful noise exposures to sounds as health promoting resource. The soundscape approach aims to draw a comprehensive picture of sound perceptions, appraisals, and human responses to an acoustic environment. [4] We may assume that environmental stimuli conferring perceived environmental control could be conducive for cognitive-motivational resources underlying civic engagement. Evidence on the relationship between acoustic environmental quality and readiness for civic engagement/institutional coping is far from solid, however. Findings from two population-based studies in the Ruhr Area might point to the relevance of cognitive-motivational variables like self- efficacy and communal mastery in this context. [2, 5] . While reflecting behavioural controllability perceptions needed for civic engagement and institutional coping, they are shaped by structural characteristics like residents’ socio-economic circumstances and health conditions. These structural characteristics determine what has been learned about behaviour-outcome-relations and the controllability of stress stimuli in general across life domains (e.g. work, family) over the life-course. [6] 2. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND STUDY APPROACH

Against this background, the StadtLabor(UrbanLab)Münster [7] strives to develop a study design that elaborates on (1) residents’ controllability perceptions at home and engagement-specific cognitions, (2) the qualification of ‘restorative’ as places of behavioural controllability, and (3) the potential compensatory impact of restorative places on uncontrollability perceptions at home and behavioural sequelae. In doing so, the StadLaborMünster will try to adopt a socially inclusive approach, taking up needs as brought up by citizens. The benefit of information and communication technologies to facilitate citizens’ empowerment and to promote environmental health equity [8] is an integral part of the study. To cross-validate local needs and to reflect on opportunities for behaviour and policy change for more environmental health equity, the StadtLaborMünster will act in close collaboration with city officials and practitioners, e.g. from the field of noise action planning. A mix of methods to involve various stakeholders and to explore local specifics from various perspectives will be applied, while following principles of citizen science as much as possible. For the purpose of quality assurance, the StadtLaborMünster aims to make use of guidelines on “digital social inclusion” and “behavior and policy change”, as developed by the EUROCITIES project CitiMeasure, and to share experiences with the CitiMeasure working groups and pilot studies involved in the process. [9] The outline of the study design and preliminary results regarding its feasibility will be presented at the INTERNOISE conference.

3. CONCLUSIONS

The study seeks to develop an experimental and participatory research approach regarding the effect of environmental acoustic quality on perceived behavioural options among residents in the City of Münster. While there appears to be a public awareness of noise problems in the City of Münster, environmental exposures like air and noise problems are not dealt with in recent surveys conducted by the City of Münster. Thus, the project may help to push the relevance of noise/sounds and health (equity) in the public discourse empowering those who are exposed to uncontrollable noise exposure at home and may generalize this experience of lacking environmental control to lacking behavioural control. The project shall contribute to alleviating social inequalities in adverse noise exposures and their health impact. As health equity has been affirmed as an-over-arching objective of (inter-sectoral) local policies in Europe, the study might become interesting for other European urban settings. 4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author would like to thank the team of the StadtLaborMünster and collaborating partners in the City of Münster.

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