Abstract:

Schools are areas where the students are received education and develop their future. In order to be following healthy progress in education, school gardens, are a buffer between the outdoor space and the school. School gardens, which are considered as one of the urban open green space units; children use in and out of school time, which relieves cities to some extent. Since school gardens are areas where children both get education and spend time in their free time, usage density is quite high. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the environmental problems to be experienced in and around the school gardens. In this study, the noise levels of selected four official primary schools’ gardens, located in Isparta city center and their surroundings were measured and noise maps were prepared with measured results. While determining the schools, the distance from city center, student populations, the size of the garden and usage of surroundings have been taken into account. The measurements were made during education in progress between 8.30-17.00 in weekdays for five min. of durations. However, an attention was considered that measurements were made in same location but different day and hours. The experiments were conducted at selected points for three measurements that during break time in schoolyard, during break time out of schoolyard and during class time. The collected data were compared with WHO suggested noise level limits for schoolyard surroundings. At the end of study, all selected school’s Leq values were found to be higher than 55 dB(A). Due to the fact that the measured values are above the noise limits (55 dB) which suggested by World Health Organization (WHO) for schools, it was concluded that precautions should be taken in school environments.

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