Abstract:
To date, ‘Urban Design’ has seldom accounted for the quality of the acoustic environment.
The significance of sound in the urban environment is understated. This is
evident in design attitudes towards Urban Acoustics, which are essentially objective;
based on ‘Noise Control Methodologies’, limited by quantitative values and void of
sonic variety. The aim of this thesis is firstly, to determine whether an acoustic agenda
could be successfully introduced into the urban design process, and secondly, to assess
the aesthetic impact of imposing such an agenda on the built environment.
To explore these ideas, the thesis combined research from three fields; Urban Design
(‘Public Places, Urban Spaces’ by Carmona et al.), Urban Acoustics (‘Urban Sound
Environment’ by Jian Kang), and Soundscape Philosophy (founded by R. Murray
Schafer). A series of experiments were then conducted using noise propagation software
‘CadnaA’, which studied the acoustic performances of different Street and Open
Space Layouts. Conclusions drawn from these experiments and the analysed literature
provided the framework for an Urban Design Proposal located in central Wellington,
which was used as a means to assess the viability of this design approach.
The results of the design-research process suggest that an acoustic agenda can be
integrated into the urban design process with relative ease and little conflict, and that
many of the Soundscape philosophies inherent in Urban Acoustic Design actually complement
well-established Urban Design Principles. Additionally, while this approach is
most effective in acoustically challenging areas, the intrinsic design principles can be
adopted to enhance both the acoustic and visual aesthetic of any urban design.
