99% Invisible Sound and Health: Cities
May 17, 2019
Cities are louder than ever, and the constant noise can harm our health. The shift from horse-drawn carriages to cars has led to increased noise pollution, affecting well-being and academic success in marginalized communities. Intentionally designing soundscapes can enhance urban life, creating a better acoustic experience. Unique sounds, like Tokyo's subway jingles, show how thoughtful sound design improves navigation and everyday life. Emphasizing the relationship between noise and health calls for reevaluating how we manage urban sound.
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Historic City Noise
- Cities have always been noisy, even before cars.
- Think of horse-drawn carriages and their various sounds.
Cars Increased Noise
- The transition to cars made cities even noisier, especially during the muscle car era.
- Loud cars like Mustangs and Corvettes contributed significantly to the urban soundscape.
Modern Soundscape
- Modern cities are still noisy despite the decline of muscle cars.
- This constant noise impacts our mental and physical well-being.
