Exploring soundscape methods and interventions in the Urban Soundscape of 3 cities

Abstract

Vital mixed-use urban communities in the United States struggle to achieve balances among citizens moving back into cities, commercial activities, and entertainment venues that many people find desirable in live, learn, work, and play environments. Dynamic documentation, analysis, design, codes, and enforcement activities are required to achieve this balance in rapidly evolving, sustainable cities. Active engagement of the acoustical communities and the full range of stakeholders in each case were essential in understanding and addressing the issues. Multiple meetings with parties individually and in groups provided ways for all to understand the points-of-view of others as a building block to achieve consensus. Simple, but sophisticated, measurement and modeling of the soundscape were necessary elements of the methods used. Case studies in 3 large cities are presented of needs, issues, methods, analysis, and proposed solutions to a wide variety of acoustical issues encountered in the cities. Reflections on soundscape theory posed by the case studies and possible adjustments to theory are discussed.