Form, function and acoustics: productive assets placement and relationship between the urban soundscape patterns and configuration

Urbanacousticsisinfluencedbyseveralnoisesourcesandpropagation effects, a multitude of factors that make sound-based analysis a rather complex endeavor. Nevertheless, the soundscape is an important feature in cities’ environ- ments, as noise pollution affects spaces’ usage and quality of life. Computational methods have been used for soundscape analysis, however a combined evalua- tion of the relationships between acoustics, urban form, functions and movement logics is still in demand for urban planning. This paper summarizes the different computational methods used for soundscape analysis and focuses on the use of Geographic Information Systems to construct a comparative analysis, apposing spatial information of the acoustic maps, built-structures placement and distribu- tion, and road networks configuration, of a productive agglomerate that extends throughout the provinces of Firenze (Florence) and Prato. The main objective is to unearth correlations between urban design, movement dynamics and the different noise pollution classes, highlighting the soundscape patterns in the built environ- ment, with specific reference to the distribution of productive activities. Results aim for the creation of more detailed acoustic maps, improving spatial knowledge of this productive area for urban planning purposes.