The Blue Noise Promenade - A Large-Scale Model for Bringing Sound into the Urban Planning and Design Agenda of the Limmat Valley Zurich

This paper shows local sound interventions in the recreational areas and the city areas of the Limmat Valley, which suffers from background noise of traffic related to Zurich's growing conurbation. Our suggested approach consists of differentiated sound interventions which aim to change the current audible space in a more qualitative rather than a purely quantitative way. We create spatial and acoustic connections between positively experienced listening situations with the help of temporary and permanent sound interventions. These interventions, which combine architecture and sound art with a focus on the water flows of the Limmat Valley, help to transform the background noise experienced as "grey" into a "Blue Noise". Based on on-site sound investigations and sound experience walks, our approach creates the conditions for a coherent sound quality experience. The thesis of this study, which was commissioned by Zurich municipality, is that local measures which involve the site-specific context and are linked together significantly improve quality of life. The study's overall aim is to implement sound as a topic in the planning and design processes of the Limmat Valley and to demonstrate sound quality in a large-scale model which become ear-catching when listening on the spot.