ABSTRACT
Sound waves allow us to visualize the geometry of the objects. Every architectural element is audible, because our ear is able to understand its reaction to sound. An urban soundscape is all-pervasive and homogeneous. It is the result of a series of micro-sound-events that depend on various and unexpected phenomena. It exceeds visual barriers. It is symptomatic of the life of the city. The psychological and social characteristics of sounds regard the relationship between man and the environment: how long a person has been living in a certain place, how he is involved in the social life that takes place there, his expectations regarding the quality of life, influence of economic factors and personal habits and so on. Nowadays, typical sounds are low frequency and infra-sounds, commonly used in electronic equipment. Although acoustics and psychoacoustics are generally focused on the evaluation of single sounds, the interaction amongst various components must be comprehended in order to accurately consider an urban sound.
