Mapa sonoro de los sitios turísticos en la ciudad de Cuenca: aproximación fonográfica de la Atenas del Ecuador

Abstract

This theoretical-practical study combines the domains of music, tourism, ecology and cartography through the project entitled “A Sonic Map of Tourist Sites in the City of Cuenca,” employing virtual representations of the soundscape of the city. The virtual soundscapes, available to the public online, reference natural and artificial sounds present in the environment.

Tourist attractions offered by the Municipality of Cuenca were analyzed and studied. Those possessing representative sounds of each area were selected. Based on a proposed schedule, audio recordings, photographs and geolocation of different soundscapes were made, regardless of the different weather conditions at the time. Later, thanks to the service of Google Maps, a sound map of Cuenca was developed.

Furthermore, this project seeks to assist the vulnerable members of the society, specifically those with visual and physical handicaps, but who can still hear. On the other hand, the collected sound material will be made available to the public in its raw format. They can be used in either audio-visual productions or as compositional material. Given its web application, the material may further promote Cuenca in the international tourism market.

This process aims to encourage the conscious listening soundscapes, preserve the acoustic heritage of the city, and divulge the sounds they make to a wider audience. This analysis demonstrates Cuenca's soundscape to be a hybrid of nature and industry. This conclusion may open up further psychological studies on the behavior of the people of Cuenca.