Noise and its impact on traditional public space in Mexico City

Abstract

The noise phenomenon affects the sound environment of the city as a whole, the existing public space within the urban structure is altered, resulting in a change in its acoustic character. Traditional neighbourhoods that were once spaces where people used to carry out activities such as walking, listening to music from small ensembles, reading a book, chatting and socialising, among others, are spaces that have also been influenced by technology and progress, impacting their sound environment. This study seeks to explore this problem in order to try to understand the contemporary acoustic character of traditional public space by analysing three public squares that were once urban centres on the periphery of Mexico City. The analysis was carried out by means of tours where recordings were made, sound levels were measured and the opinions of the users were taken, most of whom stated that they were affected by the prevailing sound environment today in comparison with what they used to experience in these squares.