What we do?

In this FIRI project, the research team has deployed a set of acoustic monitors across Central Park, Helsinki to better understand the natural and human sounds of urban nature.  The research team will analyse the patterns in the frequencies and types of sounds to inform research on ecoacoustics and the City of Helsinki’s biodiversity conservation and restoration planning initiatives.

What makes a park feel “quiet”? And how do people experience and value that quietness?

To answer these questions, our team is using a mix of scientific tools and community engagement:

  • Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM): We’ll place automated recording devices in the park to capture its soundscapes over time. These recordings will help us understand which sounds dominate in different areas, how they change, and what they might tell us about both human impact and wildlife activity. One device will even provide a publicly available live-stream of sounds from a location near Töölönlahti to promote wider appreciation for and engagement with urban park soundscapes.
  • Soundwalks with local residents: We'll walk through different parts of Central Park with people who use it regularly. As we walk, we’ll talk and listen to learn how people perceive and value the sounds around them.

As cities grow and get noisier, preserving pockets of quiet—or at least natural sound—becomes more important. Research shows that sounds like birdsong, wind, and flowing water can improve mental health and help people feel more connected to nature. But we still know relatively little about how people experience sound in urban parks, or how urban noise affects biodiversity in these areas.

By studying both the human and ecological sides of the park’s soundscape, this project will offer new insights for city planners, ecologists, and community members interested in protecting the health and harmony of urban environments.

The data we collect falls under the EU Parliamentary and EU Council General Data Protection Regulation (2016/679 - GDPR). Want to learn more about how we collect and process data?