How Conscious Sound Design Can Transform the Urban Experience (and Why We Should Care)

We live in cities that not only express themselves visually, but also, increasingly, insist on announcing themselves through sound. Cars, sirens, app notifications, and the most beloved sound effect among Brazilians, according to the podcast "Só no Brasil" by Victor Camejo and Pedro Duarte: the sound of a Makita. It seems that, wherever we are, we are enveloped by a constant cacophony that becomes the background soundtrack to the podcast of life. Digitalization has brought a new layer of noise pollution, with notification sounds becoming a constant din on the streets.

Yet, when discussing urban planning and mental health, sound rarely enters the conversation. According to a USP study , urban noise pollution is linked not only to obvious hearing problems, but also to increased stress and can even accelerate cardiovascular problems. An article in Pesquisa FAPESP magazine points out that only four Brazilian cities have completed their urban noise maps. This is where the concern for conscious sound design comes in.

The Evolution of the Soundscape

The idea of more thoughtful sound design isn't exactly new. In the 1970s, Canadian composer and theorist R. Murray Schafer argued that we should pay attention to the sounds of cities. In his book *The Tuning of the World* (1977) , Schafer argued that urban noises were something we needed to "tune in," not only because sounds have an emotional impact, but because they also reflect how we relate to our environment.

Cities like New York and Stockholm have already experimented with ways to reduce the impact of noise. In Manhattan, for example, Greenacre Park has a water wall that softens street noise, offering a space of peace amidst the chaos. These are examples of how sound can be used to create a more human atmosphere, where people can truly breathe and connect with their surroundings.

R. Murray Schafer

Digital Noise: A New Layer of Sound

The challenge of urban noise has become even more complex with the advancement of digital technologies. Today, our phones live in our pockets, with apps constantly beeping and vibrating. These notifications have become the soundtrack of the streets, buses, and work, and even at home, we live with the " hmm hmm" of a silenced (or nearly silent) cell phone on the table. I'm sure you, whether driver or passenger, have been irritated by persistent notifications in a ride-hailing car. It's a new layer of noise that requires adaptation.

The irony is that, with the technology available, it would be easy to make these sounds less intrusive and kinder to the ears. Small adjustments, like more discreet or context-sensitive notifications, silent in some places, subtle in others, could transform the way we experience the city. The question is: do we want to do this?

Building a peaceful sound future

As a sound professional, I see (and hear) a great opportunity to reimagine the urban sound environment. And I'm not just talking about functionality or technology, but a commitment to the well-being of those who live in cities. We can develop sounds that don't harm public spaces, alleviating the burden of everyday life.

This goes beyond silence. It's an active effort between designers and sound engineers, urban planners, and technology developers, where each element contributes to a more balanced environment. Acoustic materials, green spaces, and even the design of digital notifications can help shape a healthier urban sound. Imagine a city where sound is planned and noise is treated as a quality of life issue. Imagine everyone living in aural peace. Imagine less intrusive plins, dings, and yee-ha's. You might say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.

The future of sound design lies in the integration of technology and urban planning, but also in our willingness to reflect on the impact of the sounds we create. We need to choose: will sound be something we tolerate, or something that helps us live better?