Acquiescence of UNESCO Cultural Heritage and Acoustic Environments: Assessment of Hanlar District

Abstract

Several natural and historical areas around the world are listed as UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites. Hanlar District, located in Bursa, is the fourth biggest city in Turkey, its history includes the Ottoman, Roman, and Byzantine Empires, and it is an area with unique environmental features that represent various historical periods. Scholars at institutions worldwide have already recognized that such an environment has unique characteristics, and so local authorities should preserve the soundscape of the district as the sounds reflect the urban identity of the city. This study aims to evaluate the sounds of this unique district and recommends ways to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the site in terms of its sounds. After collecting more than seven hundred pieces of data on sound pressure levels (SPLs) at twenty-one locations, the SPLs were statistically analyzed (an ANOVA was used for different time intervals, and a t-test was used for different days). Noon and weekend measurements varied among the sites, and these variations were statistically significant. Furthermore, the SPLs were above the WHO's suggested levels. The study findings show the importance of reducing sounds to create better acoustic environments. The local government should include all stakeholders, including residents, employees, and urban designers, in participatory approaches and action plans to preserve the sounds of cultural heritage sites.