Acoustic Design in Urban Development : analysis of urban soundscapes and acoustic ecology research in New York City

The world is urbanizing rapidly with more than half of the global population now living in cities. Improving urban environments for the well-being of the increasing number of urban citizens is becoming one of the most important challenges of the 21st century. Even though it is common that city planners have visions of a ’good urban milieu’, those visions are concerning visual aesthetics or practical matters. The qualitative perspective of sound, such as sonic diversity and acoustic ecology are neglected aspects in architectural design. Urban planners and politicians are therefore largely unaware of the importance of sounds for the intrinsic quality of a place. Whenever environmental acoustics is on the agenda, the topic is noise abatement or noise legislation – a quantitative attenuation of sounds. Some architects may involve acoustical aspects in their work but sound design or acoustic design has yet to develop to a distinct discipline and be incorporated in urban planning.My aim was to investigate to what extent the urban soundscape is likely to improve if modern architectural techniques merge with principles of acoustics. This is an important, yet unexplored, research area. My study explores and analyses the acoustical aspects in urban development and includes interviews with practitioners in the field of urban acoustics, situated in New York City. My conclusion is that to achieve a better understanding of the human living conditions in mega-cities, there is a need to include sonic components into the holistic sense of urban development.

New York Trade School Graduate, Stanley Carraher

Stanley Carraher graduated from the New York Trade School's Welding program in 1952. He is shown in his position as Welder Foreman at the construction of the Throggs Neck Bridge. Original caption reads, "Stanley Carraher - Welding 1952. Modern bridge construction requires the services of many compitent [sic] Welders. In this picture, Stanley Carraher is shown supervising the welding on the new Throggs Neck Bridge in New York City." Black and white photograph with caption adhered to reverse.

New York Trade School Building

A group is standing immediately outside the New York Trade School building while students and others pass by. The building was located on East 67th Street in Manhattan.

Kenneth Schweiger Congratulates at a Student at a New York Trade School Commencement Ceremony

A student is shown on stage shaking hands with Kenneth Schweiger, a New York Trade School administrator and receiving an award at a commencement ceremony for the New York Trade School. Photograph is black and white.

George E. McLaughlin Speaking at a New York Trade School Commencement Ceremony

New York Trade School superintendent George E. McLaughlin speaks at the school's 1953 commencement ceremony. Black and white photograph.

Food Line at a New York Trade School Social Event

This black and white photograph shows a large group of men lining up for dessert at a New York Trade School social event.

Alex E. Davis, Graduate of the New York Trade School

Alexander Davis, Jr., a graduate of the Carpentry program of the New York Trade School in 1955 is shown working. Original caption reads, "Carpenter Contractor, Alex E. Davis Builder, Easton, Pa. Alexander Davis, Jr. - Carpentry 1955. The remodeling of old and building of new houses etc., offers many opportunities for success. Mr. Davis is shown hanging a new door on a building." Black and white photograph with caption glued to reverse.

Student Receiving Award at New York Trade School Commencement Ceremony

A student (right) is shown shaking the hand of an administrator and accepting an award at a New York Trade School commencement ceremony. Photograph is black and white.

Students Working in New York Trade School Library

Students are depicted reading and studying at tables in a section of the New York Trade School Library. Black and white photograph.

Group photo at New York Trade School Commencement Ceremony, 1959

A group of administrators from the New York Trade School pose at the 1959 commencement ceremony held May 19, 1959. Original caption: "Front: (left to right) Wm. F. Vanderbeek - Kenneth Schweiger - Bernard Rosenstadt - Ralph D. Cole - George E. McLaughlin - Herbert Brod - Edward Hansen. Back: (left to right) James Wright - Lawrence Levenstein - Ronald B. Smith - Roy Wall."

Student being congratulated at a New York Trade School Commencement Ceremony

A student is being congratulated at a New York Trade School commencement ceremony. Administrators and other important persons can be sitting on the stage behind him. Photograph is black and white.

New York Trade School Graduates David J. Stevens and Ernest Fitzgerald

David J. Stevens and Ernest Fitzgerald were 1948 graduates of the Plumbing Department at the New York Trade School and are pictured with a truck from their successful D.H. Stevens Company in Washington, DC. Original caption reads, "David J. Stevens - Plumbing 1948, is shown here with Ernest Fitzgerald - Plumbing 1948, with two of their thirteen pieces of equipment necessary to satisfy 650 calls per month. David Stevens is the third generation to have graduated from Plumbing." Black and white photograph with caption adhered to reverse.

George E. McLaughlin Speaking at a New York Trade School Commencement Ceremony

A George E. McLaughlin, a New York Trade School administrator, is pictured speaking along with others on dais at the May 1958 commencement ceremony of the New York Trade School. Photograph is black and white.

Group photo at a New York Trade School Commencement Ceremony

A group, possibly administrators, pictured at a New York Trade School commencement ceremony. Photograph is black and white and contains some writing in red ink on it.