NEW Research Article:
Soundscape and public realm – a quasi-experimental comparison between Individual Vocabulary Profiling and Public Space Index assessments during COVID-19 lockdown

Placemaking goes beyond physical design. In our latest paper in Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability (ranked Q1 for Urban Studies), we explore multisensory placemaking – with a focus on soundscapes – as a way to create more inclusive, just, and vibrant public realm.

This approach is especially critical in socially vulnerable neighbourhoods, where public spaces play a vital role in strengthening community ties and promoting everyday well-being. We share insights from our research in Forst / Driescher Hof, a neighbourhood in Stadt Aachen and part of the federal Soziale Stadt (Social City) programme. By integrating spatial, social, and sensory qualities, we show how placemaking can support social cohesion, justice, and sustainability on the ground.

Special thanks to the editors, Matthew Hardy and Associate Professor Susan Parham, for the opportunity to contribute to this interesting discussion.

For more information and assess to the full paper, please visit: LINK
Josep Llorca Bofí & Ceren Sezer
Pages: 1-31 | DOI: 10.1080/17549175.2025.2529175