Soundscape design: methodologies

According to Schafer (1977), acoustic design means discovering the principles by which the aesthetic qualities of the acoustic environment may be improved. These principles include: -elimination or restriction of certain (unwanted) sounds through noise abatement; -preservation of sounds that give character or sense of place to a location ("soundmarks" as the acoustical equivalent of visual landmarks); -addition of sounds to create attractive and stimulating environments. Spaces amenable for soundscape planning and design will be outlined and relevant methodologies will be described, from the starting step of setting the acoustic objective, based on the information content of sounds, to the census of noise sources both in space and time, the disaggregation of wanted and unwanted sounds in the context, as well as considering the interaction between auditory and visual stimuli on perception of the pleasantness of environment. An holistic approach and the participation of local experts, residents and other users and inhabitants of the sonic environment are crucial in the design process development and its outcome.