Urban Soundscapes and Noise Assessment: Key Insights from ANSI, ASTM, and ISO Standards

Urban noise and soundscape assessment are essential for sustainable, human-centered city planning. A consolidated overview of key standards is critical to ensure consistent measurement, enable cross-study comparisons, and guide practical applications. This review examines the American National Standards Institute / Acoustical Society of America (ANSI/ASA), ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, highlighting their principles, methodologies, and roles in evaluating urban acoustic environments. It explores how these standards support accurate noise quantification, capture human perceptual responses, and inform soundscape design and management across occupational, community, and experimental contexts. Standardized questionnaires, rating scales, and perceptual frameworks are discussed. The review also identifies gaps, including limited guidance on continuous monitoring, cultural adaptation, multisensory interactions, and integration with urban planning.