Mind map for cross-reading the glossary of urban morphology and soundscape research

Abstract

Urban morphological research has a long-established and systematic method of analysis that provides a clear and shared research framework. Since the late 1990s, the International Seminar on Urban Form (ISUF) has compiled a glossary of urban morphology for the agenda of urban researchers. The soundscape literature emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Since then, there have been numerous studies dealing with the sonic dimension of urban complexity from different perspectives. In order to create an overarching framework, attempts have been made since the early 1970s to define the principles and processes of soundscape research. There is a comprehensive glossary created by the Wold Soundscape Project Team (WSP) in 1978 which has been of great importance for further soundscape studies. This paper argues that there is a link between urban morphology research and soundscape research. A cross-reading between the two glossaries therefore has the potential to offer an alternative reading of urban research by revealing the commonalities or differences in the sonic-morphological conceptual schemes.