Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
noise exposure. Since 2002, European agglomerations are legally obliged
to conduct noise mappings and to publish the results on maps (EU 2002).
In physics, improvements in computing and simulation algorithms enable
the advanced geometric modeling of micro- and macro-scale sound
propagation, such as in streets or large urban areas (Kang 2007). Psycho-
acoustics analyzes the subjective perception of sound and emphasizes the
influence of urban parameters, such as the contentment with the residential
area or the importance of the sound source (Lercher 1998). With an
anthropogenic and sociological background, an international research
network works on soundscape analysis where linkages between environ-
mental sound and society are explored (soundscape-cost.org 2011).
Concurrently, the International Organization of Standardization (ISO)
develops standards for the perceptual assessment of soundscape quality
and discusses definitions and methods (ISO 2010). Also, planning
disciplines developed a conspicuous awareness of auditory aspects of
urban and architectural designs (Arteaga and Kusitzky 2008). Some of
these research results attracted public interest to the extent of triggering
several national and international initiatives, such as local action groups or
the International Noise Awareness Day (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Akustik
e.V. n.d.).
Each of these domains deals with different facets of the sonic environment.
Whilst each focuses on spatial characteristics of sound, they develop
individual means of its description. These might be considered different
languages for visually describing properties of sound. Their
incompatibility means that, when it comes to an exchange of perspectives,
interdisciplinary discourse is difficult. Appropriate tools for supporting this
activity do not exist.
The objective of this study is to provide fundamental building blocks for
communication, documentation, and presentation to involve all stake-
holders concerned with the sonic environment. This includes systematic
visual encodings and mappings of acoustic parameters into distinct graphic
variables as plausible solutions for the visualization of sound.
Consequently, the codifications lead to the compilation of guidelines
according to specific tasks. They are assembled into an extensible visual
design guide as the basis for audio cartography as a visual communication
framework for the systematic and coherent description of the sonic
environment.
