Auralization: An Experimental Approach to Understand the Soundscape of the Past

Abstract

The soundscape attempts to understand the perception of the acoustic environment in a context. However, the soundscape, especially in assessing the perception of the acoustic environment in the context of historic areas, has limitations. While a comprehensive understanding of the present and past acoustic environment is crucial, audial recordings of the past are not recorded properly. Therefore, this paper aims to explore auralization, as an approach to represent acoustic environments in the past. In this study, participants were stimulated with various historical literature and photographs to compose the acoustic environment of the past. Although there have been limitations to authenticating acoustic environmental compositions, auralization models can be used as a basis for soundscape research from the past. This approach opens new discussions in historic soundscapes and the preservation of cultural heritage areas. Keywords: Acoustic Environment, Auralization, Heritage Area, Historic Soundscape, Preservation