ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that city-makers must understand and actively manage the complete sound environment of a city. It describes the complex concepts of place and soundscapes. The chapter discusses the relationship between place and soundscapes, and the importance of addressing sound as part of a deep experience of place. It also describes the ways in which city planning practices could change to positively address the urban soundscape to create high-quality, meaningful, sound environments. H. Westerkamp agreed adding that soundscapes are an acoustic manifestation of ‘place:’ the sounds give the inhabitant a ‘sense of place’ and the place’s acoustic quality is shaped by the inhabitant’s activities and behavior. The subjective meanings associated with soundscapes are prominent: the strategy appreciates that, for some, noise contributes to the enjoyable vibrancy and buzz of the city, while, for others, it detracts from their enjoyment or is detrimental to health and well-being.
