The outdoor physical environment of villages and towns in severe cold regions in China has not been paid a sufficient attention in the design and construction process. The traffic noise pollution, the loss of traditional soundscapes and the unsatisfactory wind environment are the major problems. Improvement of the physical environment is important to the living environment as well as the building energy reduction. This paper reviews the research progress of an on-going scientific and technical project in the national 12th five-year plan, including the noise control, the soundscape design and the wind environment improvements. The land-use pattern, the planning layout mode, the arterial road grade and form, the residential courtyard design, the plant configuration, and the protection and utilisation of natural sounds are discussed.

severe cold regions  /  green villages and towns  /  physical environment