From sonic space to sonic place: an architectural and urban design approach to enhancing community soundscapes in Northern Ontario

Abstract

Whether it is a piece of architecture, the urban environment as a whole, or the natural world, sound is an ever-present condition of the physical environment in which it exists. Despite this integral relationship, the role that sound plays in how people interact and understand their surroundings is often vastly undervalued and even ignored. Thus, noise pollution has become a growing global concern, de-sensualizing human reality through negative impacts on human health and well-being. As the ‘Gateway to the North’, the city of North Bay is a transportation hub, featuring multiple highways and rail lines that contribute to a noisy environment dedicated to the convenience of high-speed travel rather than the cultivation of engaging public places. This thesis explores how a soundscape design framework can address these issues in North Bay’s city centre, connecting the area’s downtown waterfront through urban design elements and a Performing Arts Center located on the shores of Lake Nipissing.