Abstract:
The soundscape paradigm is the emerging alternative to the reductionist vision of
noise in all the cities around the world. In particular, urban sound studies of 21
century focus on integrating both physical and perceptual factors, which underlie the
interaction between citizenship and its closest acoustic environment. This study
examines the soundscape produced by marketplaces of 5 towns in the department of
Cauca (Colombia). To do so, 50 noise measurements and 50 stereophonic recordings
were made for the purpose of obtaining soundscape cartographies that allowed their
proper evaluation. The findings prove a wide range of spatial variability, which
suggests the conformation of positive and differenced sound experiences according to
the particularity of each evaluated area. Therefore, it is concluded that the soundscape
diversity can contribute to the social well-being of the population, especially if it is
adopted during urban planning processes. In this logic, the inclusion and revitalization
of public market areas can be considered, since their various layers of meaning are
part of the invaluable sonorous imaginary of the city and its inhabitants. Likewise, it
is also recommended to expand the scale of detail in future studies and to deepen in
more technological and human resources for better representation and understanding
of the urban soundscape
