Are new requirements for soundscape research resulting from the pandemic?

The pandemic caused short-term but also medium-term changes in many areas of life, which moderated the demands on the acoustic environment. For example, the flexibilization of the workplace led to increased requirements for environmental conditions to allow for effective work. At the same time, outdoor spaces took on new meanings and uses as people increasingly sought opportunities for social interactions and recreation. The change of the acoustic environments and the adaptation of individual and social needs proceeded equally; and it appears likely that certain pandemic related developments endure to a certain extent in post-pandemic soundscapes. Therefore, the question appears justified to what extent requirements for noise protection in urban context would have to take account any of the new conditions of post-pandemic times. Data regarding the change of acoustic environments based on long-term measurements over the last years as well as observations on recent noise complaints behavior are presented and discussed from the perspective of current noise legislative and urban health.