Exploring the relationship between acoustic environmental quality and civic engagement against environmental noise: Outline of a study design from an equity perspective

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.