The effects of marketplaces on the spatial variability of the urban soundscape: a multicase study in the department of Cauca (Colombia)

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