Urban Soundscapes in the Imaginaries of Native Digital Users: Guidelines for Soundscape Design

Abstract

We present an experiment run along the lines of a pilot experiment in China based on collages and narratives to illustrate the participants’ experience with urban sceneries. Its aim was to develop a conceptual model based on narrative analysis that linked objects of the environment to the perceived properties of the soundscape. Participants in groups of two were free to clip any image they wanted from a selection of magazines—the same for all groups within each coun-try—and free to add comments or drawings on their collages. Then, they had to present their collages to the other participants, and the presentations were recorded and transcribed. The structural semantic model that underlies the descriptions of the collages and narratives is presented. The results of the analysis were comparable with previous studies, since ideal urban environments should be calm, quiet and green, but urban environments should also promote cultural activities and the possibility to escape outside the city. The analysis also allowed for attaining the emotions created by soundscapes. Thus, the semantic model can be used as a conceptual model for a soundscape, from which guidelines for soundscape planning and design can be derived, as well as suggestions for innovative soundscapes.