8–12 Sept 2026
Europe/Vienna timezone

Impact of Acoustic Characteristics on Authenticity in Historic Districts: Mechanisms and Parameter Optimization

FA2026/89
10 Sept 2026, 14:40
20m
Saal 1 (Messe Congress Graz)

Saal 1

Messe Congress Graz

A18 Soundscape, Environmental Quality, Health and Well-being A18.00 Soundscape, Environmental Quality, Health and Well-being

Speaker

Xuejun Hu (Harbin Institute of Technology)

Description

Authenticity serves as a core criterion for evaluating cultural heritage, reflecting the capacity of historic districts to convey tangible and intangible narratives accurately. However, research on authenticity has predominantly focused on visual morphology, leaving the quantitative impact of acoustic characteristics relatively underdeveloped. This study employs audio-visual simulations and interactive experiments conducted via a custom-developed platform to investigate the commercial spaces of the Zhonghua Baroque Historic District in Harbin, China. The research identifies the distributional features of acoustic characteristics, reveals the correlation patterns between these features and perceived authenticity, and determines the optimal parameter ranges for authenticity enhancement. It was found that fidelity of dominant sound and equivalent sound pressure level (LAeq) are the primary predictors of authenticity perception. The results indicate a dynamic compensation mechanism: as background sound levels increase to 55–72 dB, the optimal dominant sound LAeq shifts to 60–65 dB and the required fidelity threshold increases to 35 dB to maintain historical character. In conclusion, this study establishes a scientific basis for the preservation of authenticity in historic urban environments.

Authors

Yiming Hu (Harbin Institute of Technology) Xuejun Hu (Harbin Institute of Technology) Qi Meng (Harbin Institute of Technology) Chunshuo Qu (Harbin Institute of Technology) Yuxin Yin (Harbin Institute of Technology) Mengmeng Li (Harbin Institute of Technology) Da Yang (Harbin Institute of Technology) Jianfei Dong (Harbin Institute of Technology)

Presentation materials