The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar

A Reflection on the Role of Auditory Factors in the Soundscape of Educational Spaces in Qazvin City Based on Cognitive Maps (Case Study: Narges Shahed School in Qazvin)

https://doi.org/10.22034/bagh.2025.483924.5687
Volume 21, Issue 141
March 2025
Pages 27-42
The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Maryam Karimi 1
Fariba Alborzi 2
Amirhossein Amini 3

1 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Architecture, Qazvin Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Qazvin Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Qazvin Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran.

Abstract
Problem statement: Sounds play a critical role in environmental perception and significantly influence human interaction with both the environment and other individuals. They directly affect the auditory senses as well as humans’ understanding of their surroundings. The diversity of sounds within a given environment leads to the formation of various soundscapes. Both auditory and non-auditory factors play a notable role in shaping soundscapes. Auditory factors encompass anthrophony, biophony, and geophony which constitute the central focus of the present study.
Research objective: The present study was an attempt to investigate the auditory factors shaping the soundscape of educational spaces in the city of Qazvin, through cognitive maps. Narges Shahed School in Qazvin was selected as the case study and anthrophonic, biophonic, and geophonic sounds within the school premises and the surrounding off-campus areas were analyzed.
Research method: The research method of this study is descriptive-analytical and survey-based. Data collection was conducted through document analysis, recorded observations, field surveys, note-taking, and sketching using cognitive maps. To achieve the research objective, soundwalking and sensory survey techniques based on visual and auditory perception were employed.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the analysis of auditory factors in the study area revealed that all three auditory factors—anthrophony, biophony, and geophony—are present in the indoor spaces, courtyard, and surrounding off-campus areas of the school, both as direct sounds and indirect sounds (emerging from the echoes of dominant sounds in the environment). The biophony and geophony components are relatively desirable when they are not expressed in excessive amounts. In particular, the geophonic component, which is based on natural factors, but part of the anthropophonic component, due to its human-centered nature, appears undesirable in the form of noise, and in other cases is desirable. These soundscapes directly affect the auditory senses, perception, concentration, learning and cognition of students.

Keywords

Soundscape
Auditory Factors
Cognitive Maps
Educational Spaces in Qazvin
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