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Applied Sciences
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Soundscapes in Architecture and Urban Planning
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Soundscapes in Architecture and Urban Planning

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Acoustics and Vibrations".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 6386

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Konstantinos Vogiatzis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece
Interests: acoustics; environmental control systems; acoustic properties of solids; architectural acoustics; noise
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Nikolas Remy

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
1. Department of Architecture, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece
2. CRESSON, AAU-Ambiances, Architectures, Urbanités, Grenoble, France
Interests: sound studies; soundscape; sound effects; sound object; room acoustics; building acoustics; strategic noise planning; noise action plans; sound and noise mapping; architectural sound design; urban sound design; sound sketch; perception of sound; ambiances
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Soundscapes play a crucial role in architecture and urban planning by shaping our perception of space. It involves integrating auditory elements—both natural and man-made—into the built environment, influencing how people interact with and experience urban areas. Effective soundscape design can create atmospheres that enhance well-being, promote social interaction, and foster a sense of place. Unlike noise, which is often perceived as unwanted, soundscapes are carefully curated to contribute positively to the ambiance of a space. By acknowledging the auditory dimension of urban design, planners and architects can create environments that are not only visually but also acoustically engaging, promoting a deeper connection between people and their surroundings. As cities grow denser, integrating soundscapes thoughtfully becomes vital for sustainable and livable urban development.

The Editor of this Special Issue seeks original papers that integrate soundscapes into architectural design and urban planning. Contributions are welcome on topics exploring the physical dimensions of sounds, the auditory experiences of living beings, and the materiality of space, reflecting innovative approaches to enhancing the built environment and our natural spaces.

Dr. Konstantinos Vogiatzis
Dr. Nikolas Remy
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • soundscape
  • sound quality
  • design
  • city
  • built environment
  • natural spaces

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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36 pages, 36653 KB  
Article
Soundscape-Informed Urban Planning and Architecture in Historic Centers: A Multi-Layer Method for Soundscape Characterization Applied to Bilbao Old Town
by Zigor Iturbe-Martin, Alexander Martín-Garín and Amaia Casado-Rezola
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 3630; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16083630 - 8 Apr 2026
Viewed by 349
Abstract
Urban soundscape management is a central challenge to the livability and sustainability of cities and requires approaches that complement level indicators with frameworks capable of integrating context, use and experience. In this framework, the present work applies a multilayer methodology to the Old [...] Read more.
Urban soundscape management is a central challenge to the livability and sustainability of cities and requires approaches that complement level indicators with frameworks capable of integrating context, use and experience. In this framework, the present work applies a multilayer methodology to the Old Town of Bilbao, understood as a useful case study to explore the applicability of soundscape reading in historic centers with intense coexistence of commercial, hospitality and catering uses, pedestrian, logistical and cultural uses. The methodology is organized into two phases. The first focuses on the recording and documentation of control points and routes through sound fieldwork, perceptual descriptions and homogeneous systematization of information. From this corpus, a qualified sound map and a first visual characterization of the sound identity are elaborated. The second phase presented in this article, consists of the interpretative synthesis of the corpus through five analytical dimensions and the preparation of fragments and sound sequences conceived for future application through reactivated listening. The results are presented at three levels: (1) a traceable documentary corpus of records, files and synthetic representations; (2) a comparative reading by dimensions that identifies spatial contrasts between interior, exterior and perimeter, as well as relationships between urban form, uses, persistence, masking and salience; and (3) a set of operational audio materials prepared for subsequent comparison with inhabitants and users. In a transversal way, type–token reading distinguishes between the diversity of sounds and dominance by repetition. The article does not yet carry out participatory validation of these materials; its contribution consists of proposing and applying a traceable analytical protocol as a basis for future phases of social contrast and applied discussion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soundscapes in Architecture and Urban Planning)
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22 pages, 10230 KB  
Article
Fine-Scale Spatio-Temporal Heterogeneity of Nocturnal Soundscapes in a Small Urban Park
by Klaudiusz Tomczyk, Grzegorz Chrobak, Patryk Mierzejewski, Jacek Major and Katarzyna Tokarczyk-Dorociak
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 2751; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16062751 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 283
Abstract
Small urban parks act as local acoustic refuges, yet their nocturnal soundscapes are rarely quantified at fine spatial scales. We assessed within-park spatio-temporal heterogeneity in Langiewicz Park (~1.1 ha), Wrocław, Poland, using a network of five autonomous AudioMoth recorders mounted on lighting poles [...] Read more.
Small urban parks act as local acoustic refuges, yet their nocturnal soundscapes are rarely quantified at fine spatial scales. We assessed within-park spatio-temporal heterogeneity in Langiewicz Park (~1.1 ha), Wrocław, Poland, using a network of five autonomous AudioMoth recorders mounted on lighting poles at 3.5 m height during early spring campaigns (March–April 2025). Continuous nocturnal recordings (18:00–06:00) were collected, and for each recording, we computed a suite of ecoacoustic indicators capturing acoustic energy (RMS), biophony–anthrophony balance (NDSI), temporal complexity (ACI), spectral diversity (ADI), biotic activity (BI), and acoustic Entropy (H). Indicator time series were aggregated to 15 min resolution to characterise nocturnal trajectories, and dominant patterns were quantified using polynomial trend models and principal component analysis. Despite the small park area and inter-sensor spacing of 50–70 m, indicator distributions differed significantly among microphone locations, with particularly strong spatial contrasts observed in NDSI and BI. Seasonal shifts between March and April further modified the multivariate soundscape structure and the positioning of monitoring sites. These results demonstrate fine-scale nocturnal heterogeneity within a single compact urban park. Our findings suggest that multipoint monitoring design is essential to capture the complex micro-soundscape structures in urban green spaces that single-sensor approaches typically overlook. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soundscapes in Architecture and Urban Planning)
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Review

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32 pages, 858 KB  
Review
Designing Sustainable and Acoustically Optimized Dental Spaces: A Comprehensive Review of Soundscapes in Dental Office Environments
by Maria Antoniadou, Eleni Ioanna Tzaferi and Christina Antoniadou
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8167; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158167 - 23 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2833
Abstract
The acoustic environment of dental clinics plays a critical role in shaping patient experience, staff performance, and overall clinical effectiveness. This comprehensive review, supported by systematic search procedures, investigates how soundscapes in dental settings influence psychological, physiological, and operational outcomes. A total of [...] Read more.
The acoustic environment of dental clinics plays a critical role in shaping patient experience, staff performance, and overall clinical effectiveness. This comprehensive review, supported by systematic search procedures, investigates how soundscapes in dental settings influence psychological, physiological, and operational outcomes. A total of 60 peer-reviewed studies were analyzed across dental, healthcare, architectural, and environmental psychology disciplines. Findings indicate that mechanical noise from dental instruments, ambient reverberation, and inadequate acoustic zoning contribute significantly to patient anxiety and professional fatigue. The review identifies emerging strategies for acoustic optimization, including biophilic and sustainable design principles, sound-masking systems, and adaptive sound environments informed by artificial intelligence. Special attention is given to the integration of lean management and circular economy practices for sustainable dental architecture. A design checklist and practical framework are proposed for use by dental professionals, architects, and healthcare planners. Although limited by the predominance of observational studies and geographic bias in the existing literature, this review offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary synthesis. It highlights the need for future clinical trials, real-time acoustic assessments, and participatory co-design methods to enhance acoustic quality in dental settings. Overall, the study positions sound design as a foundational element in creating patient-centered, ecologically responsible dental environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soundscapes in Architecture and Urban Planning)
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