[Presented at the Institute of Acoustics´ Spring Conference 2008, University of Reading / UK, 10-11 April 2008; published in: Proceedings of the Institute of Acoustics, IOA/UK, 2008, ISBN 1-901656-91-8]

Abstract:

This paper focuses on urban acoustics and the key role architecture and urban design play in this connection, according to our independent interdisciplinary research.

We argue that in current planning and design it is generally underestimated how complex and diverse the acoustical effects of architecture and urban structures are, and subsequently environments with adverse acoustical characteristics are produced.

A new approach to the built environment is presented: showing that urban acoustics by far exceed the subject of noise; that acoustics are highly significant not only concerning the ability to grasp situations but also for the ways locations are used; that architecture and urban design – by building large scale resonance spaces – are at least as influencial on urban acoustics as sound sources are; and how this can be put to use for creating livable, sustainable environments.