Introduction
With the rapid expansion of urbanization and the increasing complexity of spatial and social dynamics in contemporary cities, urban design has emerged as a critical discipline in enhancing the quality of life. While visual and physical aspects have traditionally dominated design practices, the sensory dimension—particularly sound—has remained underrepresented. Human interaction with the environment, however, is inherently multisensory. The soundscape, as an integral part of spatial perception, has a profound effect on emotional well-being, place attachment, and social interaction. This research addresses the need to integrate acoustic considerations into urban design, focusing on how sound influences the sense of place in public urban spaces. Despite its fundamental role, sound is often perceived as a background phenomenon, treated either as an environmental nuisance or overlooked entirely in urban planning discourses. Yet emerging interdisciplinary perspectives reveal that auditory experiences can actively shape spatial legibility, behavioral patterns, and social inclusivity. The inclusion of sound as a design parameter not only enhances aesthetic and functional dimensions of space but also aligns with the broader goal of creating health-promoting, equitable, and emotionally resonant urban environments. Recognizing the soundscape as a spatial resource invites designers to engage with acoustic diversity and narrative, turning ordinary urban settings into immersive and meaningful places.
Theoretical Framework
sound functions as a cultural, ecological, and aesthetic dimension of space. Schafer’s foundational work in The Tuning of the World (1977) emphasized the idea that societies are shaped not only by what they see but also by what they hear, introducing key distinctions such as hi-fi (high-fidelity) and lo-fi (low-fidelity) environments—where clarity or masking of sound affects perception and experience. Later expanded by Truax (2001) through the lens of soundscape composition and real-time acoustic interaction, and further developed by Kang & Schulte-Fortkamp (2016) within the framework of soundscape standardization (e.g., ISO 12913), this theory underlies the emerging interdisciplinary field of acoustic ecology. This field brings together insights from environmental psychology, architecture, urban planning, and auditory science to evaluate how sound environments interact with human behavior and spatial meaning.Research has increasingly shown that the quality of acoustic environments in urban settings can significantly influence users’ comfort, safety, social engagement, and overall perception of space (Brown et al., 2011; Aletta et al., 2016). Environments enriched with natural sounds—such as water, wind, or birdsong—are frequently associated with positive affective states, reduced mental fatigue, and enhanced cognitive restoration (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989; Pheasant et al., 2010). These sounds serve not only as pleasant background stimuli but also as indicators of ecological health and spatial tranquility. In contrast, urban noise pollution—characterized by continuous traffic, industrial activity, or densely packed human presence—often leads to increased physiological stress, reduced spatial legibility, and a decline in users’ willingness to remain or return (Gidlöf-Gunnarsson & Öhrström, 2007; Steele et al., 2019). The dichotomy between restorative and disruptive sounds underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of acoustic perception as both an individual and collective urban experience.
Methodology
This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative analysis with quantitative evaluation. Initially, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to extract key urban design indicators that potentially affect acoustic quality. Concurrently, primary acoustic components—acoustic balance, functional quietness, sound diversity, perceptual clarity, acoustic sustainability, and sonic identity—were identified. A two-round Delphi method was implemented involving 20 experts in urban design and environmental acoustics to assess the impact level of each indicator. Subsequently, mean scores were calculated, and the Jenks natural breaks classification was applied to rank the indicators into high, medium, and low impact categories.
 
Results and Discussion
The findings indicate that urban design factors such as control of building density and height, spatial orientation, incorporation of local sonic identity, and increased green coverage have the greatest positive impact on soundscape quality. Components like acoustic-functional compatibility, sound sustainability, and user auditory perception demonstrated the highest sensitivity to urban design interventions. The developed conceptual model comprises three interrelated layers:

Physical-Spatial Layer: Involving the layout, form, and density of urban elements that influence sound propagation.
Environmental Layer: Including materials, vegetation, and water elements that shape the acoustic absorption and modulation.
Experiential-Perceptual Layer: Addressing human interpretations, auditory memory, and emotional responses to sound.

The study further illustrates that designing with sound in mind enhances psychological comfort, encourages lingering and interaction, and reinforces users’ cognitive mapping of space. Spaces enriched with coherent, identity-based soundscapes contribute to the creation of “auditory landmarks” that deepen the user’s sense of belonging.
 
Conclusion
This research presents a systematic framework linking urban design principles with acoustic ecosystem dynamics, emphasizing the need for deliberate integration of sound into design processes. The implications extend beyond aesthetics, suggesting that sound should be approached as an active design element rather than a residual consequence. Accordingly, the study advocates for:

Sound-conscious urban design practices and guidelines,
Integration of digital acoustic tools (e.g., simulations, sensors, sound maps),
Professional training for planners and designers,
Equitable sonic environments through the emerging lens of sound justice.

By shifting from a visually dominated to a multisensory design paradigm, urban designers can help craft environments that are not only seen and used but also heard, remembered, and emotionally experienced. The study ultimately contributes to reimagining cities as more inclusive, sensorially rich, and human-centered places.