Conference_programme: 20.3 - Soundscapes of Public Spaces
Lecture: ENHANCED SOUND SOURCE COMPOSITION METHODS FOR QUALITATIVE MAPPING OF URBAN SOUND ENVIRONMENT
Author(s): Kamenický Matej
Summary:
High quality urban public places add to economic and social value of the town spaces. As shown by previous research, noise and disturbing sounds or unwanted soundscape lowers perceived quality of such spaces. This paper proposes methodology of soundscape mapping and its categorizing and its application, based on previous research by Leóbon, Ryháček and Vermeir. Existence of "acoustic scenarios" of soundscapes in urban public spaces is tested by comparative method in a pilot study of 25 public urban spaces using test subjects, in-situ soundwalks and acoustical measurements. Results of comparison between soundscape grouping into categories by qualitative cognitive-semantic variables and grouping using agglomerative clustering based on quantitative acoustic and psychoacoustic parameters shows significant overlap. These soundscape categories are then qualitatively assessed and designated into categories for qualitative mapping of sound environment using enhanced Leóbon’s method of soundscape taxonomy, coupled with Ryháček’s soundscape elements. The enhanced soundscape taxonomy shows similarities with the measured loudness levels of soundscapes. This provides categories for mapping which can serve as an extension of noise maps for the qualitative, holistic describing of sonic environment of public urban spaces, setting up a desired soundscape based on sound source and meaning content for given urban place. In urban design and planning, this could serve as a parallel to mapping of the visible features of the city like a lightning plan, bringing acoustical properties closer to the context of public spaces. As this is a pilot study of the methodology, further more extensive analysis on larger soundscape sample packs is advised.
Corresponding author
Name: Dr Matej Kamenický
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Country: Slovakia (Slovak Republic)
