Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SONINURB (Sonic inquiry in urban research: advancing policy analysis and design through sound planning tools)
Período documentado: 2023-03-01 hasta 2024-02-29
The action aimed to experiment participatory and creative methods to inform urban policy analysis and design by focusing on the sonic environment as experienced by people in context – what has been defined as the “soundscape”. It sought to explore how issues of neighborhoods livability, inclusiveness and attractiveness are deeply linked to the way city users experience the sonic environment, and how urban policies play a key role in shaping such experience. First, the action aimed to support urban planners and policy makers developing a sound-based approach to urban policy analysis and design, and thus to formulate policy recommendations with a focus on urban sound planning. Second, it aimed to reinforce sonic awareness among city users and local stakeholders, thus encouraging the inclusiveness and livability especially within deprived urban areas.
The outgoing phase took place in Montreal over 2021 and 2022 at McGill University. The case study developed in Montreal concentrated on the Quartier des Spectacles (QDS), and focused on the sonic impact of public initiatives and strategies developed in QDS to foster entertainment.
The returning phase carried out at the host institution, concentrated on Venice historic center, and particularly on those public spaces (bigger and smaller squares) used over the afternoon by children as informal playgrounds. The research aimed to investigate this peculiar use of public space to delve into the fragile balance between livability (for residents, workers and city users) and attractiveness (for tourists and newcomers) within Venice central area, which is more and more impacted by the effects of overtourism and depopulation.
The research phase was articulated on three main objectives:
OB.1 Provide a sonic perspective to advance urban analysis by experimenting sonic-oriented methodologies in the study of urban areas undergoing dramatic transformations.
OB.2 Validate participatory tools to identify sound-related urban issues and develop collaborative guideline to address them through sound interventions.
OB.3 Implement and assess sound interventions in public space to foster cohabitation and address issues of urban livability, attractiveness and inclusiveness.
The outgoing phase took place in Montreal over 2021 and 2022 at McGill University. The case study developed in Montreal concentrated on the Quartier des Spectacles (QDS), and focused on the sonic impact of public initiatives and strategies developed in QDS to foster entertainment.
The returning phase carried out at the host institution, concentrated on Venice historic center, and particularly on those public spaces (bigger and smaller squares) used over the afternoon by children as informal playgrounds. The research aimed to investigate this peculiar use of public space to delve into the fragile balance between livability (for residents, workers and city users) and attractiveness (for tourists and newcomers) within Venice central area, which is more and more impacted by the effects of overtourism and depopulation.
The research phase was articulated on three main objectives:
OB.1 Provide a sonic perspective to advance urban analysis by experimenting sonic-oriented methodologies in the study of urban areas undergoing dramatic transformations.
OB.2 Validate participatory tools to identify sound-related urban issues and develop collaborative guideline to address them through sound interventions.
OB.3 Implement and assess sound interventions in public space to foster cohabitation and address issues of urban livability, attractiveness and inclusiveness.
The research developed during the outgoing period is divided in three phases:
- Phase I: Preliminary analysis
Beginning in Spring 2021, the research started with an investigation of the QDS. Interviews performed during 2020 by the Sounds in the city team had been analyzed to gather information on the sonic experience of QDS residents during and after the lockdowns.
- Phase II: Field recordings
The first phase (OB.1) aimed at experimenting sonic-oriented methodologies to advance urban analysis taking QDS as a case study. Focusing on the use of in-person audio recordings the sonic inquiry of the QDS took place between September through November 2021.
- Phase III: Participatory workshops
The second phase (OB.2) sought to engage residents, city users and local actors from QDS through two workshops aiming to identify problematic sound-related urban issues and develop collaborative guideline to address them through sound interventions.
- Phase IV: Sound installation
In the last phase (OB. 3), the research focused on the composition, implementation and assessment of a sound installation, which was created over summer 2022 and temporary “activated” in Place de la Paix in October 2022. The installation was assessed through questionnaires designed to collect qualitative and quantitative data from users of the square.
The research developed during the returning period is divided in three phases:
- Phase I: Preliminary analysis / mapping
The first phase took place between April and June 2023 and focused on the mapping process of the Venice playgrounds, using field recordings, ethnographic field notes, observations and informal interviews with city users.
- Phase II: Participatory workshops
Two participatory workshops were organized to gather insights on people everyday sonic experience related to the children informal playgrounds in the Venice historic center. The main target of these activities was to contribute to the conversation on urban livability and attractiveness within areas undergoing transformation through a sound-based approach.
- Phase III: Communication of research results
This phase concentrated on the communication of results at international conferences and seminars at Iuav. The phase was also dedicated to the publication of research articles, and to the submission of a book proposal at Routledge, which has been accepted.
- Phase I: Preliminary analysis
Beginning in Spring 2021, the research started with an investigation of the QDS. Interviews performed during 2020 by the Sounds in the city team had been analyzed to gather information on the sonic experience of QDS residents during and after the lockdowns.
- Phase II: Field recordings
The first phase (OB.1) aimed at experimenting sonic-oriented methodologies to advance urban analysis taking QDS as a case study. Focusing on the use of in-person audio recordings the sonic inquiry of the QDS took place between September through November 2021.
- Phase III: Participatory workshops
The second phase (OB.2) sought to engage residents, city users and local actors from QDS through two workshops aiming to identify problematic sound-related urban issues and develop collaborative guideline to address them through sound interventions.
- Phase IV: Sound installation
In the last phase (OB. 3), the research focused on the composition, implementation and assessment of a sound installation, which was created over summer 2022 and temporary “activated” in Place de la Paix in October 2022. The installation was assessed through questionnaires designed to collect qualitative and quantitative data from users of the square.
The research developed during the returning period is divided in three phases:
- Phase I: Preliminary analysis / mapping
The first phase took place between April and June 2023 and focused on the mapping process of the Venice playgrounds, using field recordings, ethnographic field notes, observations and informal interviews with city users.
- Phase II: Participatory workshops
Two participatory workshops were organized to gather insights on people everyday sonic experience related to the children informal playgrounds in the Venice historic center. The main target of these activities was to contribute to the conversation on urban livability and attractiveness within areas undergoing transformation through a sound-based approach.
- Phase III: Communication of research results
This phase concentrated on the communication of results at international conferences and seminars at Iuav. The phase was also dedicated to the publication of research articles, and to the submission of a book proposal at Routledge, which has been accepted.
The advancements of the state of the art based on the of research results from the outgoing phase will have a profound impact on urban research and more broadly on residents and city users of problematic urban areas.
Results showed how urban policies – even when not specifically sound-oriented – have a significant impact on the perceived sonic experience of city users, thus deeply affecting urban life. The outcomes from the participatory workshops and sound intervention illustrated the key potential of enhancing “sonic cohabitation” among residents, stakeholders and city users of urban areas undergoing transformations by collaboratively analyze and shape the sonic environment. The advancement of the state of the art will outline a set of methodological innovations and policy recommendations. Inviting policy makers and urban professionals to employ qualitative, participatory and creative tools, the action will have an impact on urban design and policy making regarding the sensory environment.
Building on the results from the returning phase, the study acknowledged the lack of discussion on the detrimental effects of tourism and entertainment on the everyday atmosphere and sonic environment of highly visited historic centers. The study highlighted how such effects deeply affect the everyday life of younger generations, whose perspective is not sufficiently taken into account by the local policy agenda. This sheds light on how urban areas such as Venice historic center, while consolidating their strategies and programs in support of tourism and entertainment, provide residents and in particular younger generations with a less and less livable environment. In this regard, results from the outreach activities advanced the role of participatory approaches, particularly when focused on the experience of the sonic environment, as meaningful tools to address urban issues addressing neighborhoods impacted by tourism.
The body of results from the outgoing and returning phases have three potential impacts: (i) Highlighting an innovative and promising avenue toward urban policy analysis and design, providing policy makers with useful sound-based tools to assess and revise those policies, strategie and programs addressing issues of urban attractiveness, inclusiveness and livability. (ii) Illustrating the importance of a “well-sounding” public space for city users’ wellbeing, demonstrating the relevance of sound-based collaborative workshops and outreach activities in fostering participation among residents, urban practitioners and local stakeholders. (iii) Corroborating the use of sound interventions in strengthening the pleasantness and inclusiveness of underused and problematic urban public spaces, allowing urban areas to be more inclusive, livable and attractive.
Building on the results from the returning phase, the study acknowledged the lack of discussion on the detrimental effects of tourism and entertainment on the everyday atmosphere and sonic environment of highly visited historic centers. The study highlighted how such effects deeply affect the everyday life of younger generations, whose perspective is not sufficiently taken into account by the local policy agenda. This sheds light on how urban areas such as Venice historic center, while consolidating their strategies and programs in support of tourism and entertainment, provide residents and in particular younger generations with a less and less livable environment. In this regard, results from the outreach activities advanced the role of participatory approaches, particularly when focused on the experience of the sonic environment, as meaningful tools to address urban issues addressing neighborhoods impacted by tourism.
The body of results from the outgoing and returning phases have three potential impacts: (i) Highlighting an innovative and promising avenue toward urban policy analysis and design, providing policy makers with useful sound-based tools to assess and revise those policies, strategie and programs addressing issues of urban attractiveness, inclusiveness and livability. (ii) Illustrating the importance of a “well-sounding” public space for city users’ wellbeing, demonstrating the relevance of sound-based collaborative workshops and outreach activities in fostering participation among residents, urban practitioners and local stakeholders. (iii) Corroborating the use of sound interventions in strengthening the pleasantness and inclusiveness of underused and problematic urban public spaces, allowing urban areas to be more inclusive, livable and attractive.