The relationship between the perceptual experience of a waterfront-built environment and audio-visual indicators

This study evaluated the effects of water span and the number of building levels (3, 6, 17 storeys) on the quality of human recovery, security, and overall experience (comfort, satisfaction, and preference). In addition, we investigated the effects of including different sound sources in the waterfront high-rise built environment on the above subjective evaluations. After measuring the architectural parameters of the waterfront settlement and identifying the sound sources, simulations were carried out using virtual reality 3D technology with a human walking perspective. The analysis showed that in terms of security, the wider the water span, the lower the human perception of security (p < 0.01). The water span did not affect the quality of recovery or overall experience. The degree of recovery, perception of security, and overall experience displayed a strong negative connection with the number of storeys in the building. Among them, low and multi-storey buildings (3 to 6 storeys) had the best effects on human recovery quality, security, and overall experience. In a waterfront high-rise setting, it is desirable to include the sound of birdsong and to a lesser extent stream sounds. Furthermore, men rated lower than women in terms of quality of recovery, security, and overall experience under conditions of water span, number of building levels, and variation in sound sources. Compared to women, men needed more restorative sound sources.