This PhD explored the capacity of sonic planning strategies to engage with sonic affective dynamics in the context of militarized urban transitions. Focusing on the transformation of former industrial railway spaces into green spaces along the Brussels western ring railway line L28 in Brussels, it analyzed how a decentering of the listener in planning and design research can contribute to new sonic spatial infrastructures. Confronting urban planning and sound studies with the performative practices of young people involved in urban transformation, the study developed an epistemological and practice-led framework for integrating sonic affect into urban design and planning.
The PhD research was carried out in the Altering Practices (Alt_Shift) Research Group at KU Leuven Faculty of Architecture Campus Sint-Lucas Brussels and was funded by KU Leuven Funds (2017 – 2022).
Supervisory team:
Prof. Dr. Burak Pak (KU Leuven)
Mr. Peter Cusack (UAL)
Members of the Examination Committee:
Prof. Dr. ir. Monika Rychtarikova (KU Leuven)
Prof. Dr. ir. Sven Sterken (KU Leuven)
Prof. Dr. Maarten Loopmans (KU Leuven)
Dr. Barbara Roosen (Uhasselt)
Dr. Nicola Di Croce (Iuav)
ABSTRACT
Within a context of militarized urban transformation seeking sonic strategies for dealing with alienation, repression and immobility, the importance of understanding and operationalizing sound’s affective and disruptive capacities, is quintessential. A situated engagement with affective sonic materiality in urban planning and design research promotes a rethinking of the position and role of sound in urban development and simultaneously becomes an instrument of sonic artistic and critical spatial practice. Through exploratory longitudinal case study focusing on old industrial railway space conversion into greenspace along Brussels line L28, I studied how a decentering of human listening and sonic experience necessitates the planning and design of new sonic (infra-)structures in ways that breaks those confines whilst facilitating the (co-)production of alternative sonic futures emancipated from certain impasses. By connecting the avant-garde work of urban sound researchers and curators to the experiences and practices of young people involved in urban transformation, I aim to set out a path to a sonic vocabulary, methods, tools, and techniques for a relational, performative engagement with sonic matter in planning and design research.
NYC PILOT STUDY
Between August 22 and September 14, 2018, I conducted a pilot study in New York City, focusing on sound art methodologies, bioacoustics, and the redevelopment of Sunnyside Yard. Supported by the KU Leuven Architecture NY-hub, this research visit combined network practice and field study, exploring collaborative approaches to urban sonic research. Through this study, I exchanged and refined methodologies and tools for analyzing the sonic affective dimensions of industrial site conversions into green infrastructure.
Greenpoint Landing Esplanade, NYC (40°44’13.3″N 73°57’34.7″W)
Newtown Creek, NYC (40°44’26.5″N 73°56’25.0″W)
MASTER STUDIO_L28
Master Design Studio_L28 Sonic Urbanism Master Design Studio_L28 (2018-20), a collaboration under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Burak Pak as part of my PhD research, KU Leuven Faculty of Architecture, Campus Sint Lucas, Brussels (BE)
Elective Course on Sonic Cartography (2018-20), collaboration under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Burak Pak and Peter Cusack as part of my PhD research, KU Leuven Faculty of Architecture, Campus Sint Lucas, Brussels (BE)
Vitrien #2 (2020), exhibition with students of the KU Leuven International Master of Architecture, a collaboration with BNA-BBOT, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Burak Pak as part of my PhD research, BNA-BBOT, Brussels (BE)
