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Description
Calls for a more diverse soundscape approach have recently been raised, to investigate a variety of urban experiences. In this paper, we take a look at how gender and soundscape co-influence urban experiences. Through commented walks, 12 women and 11 men were interviewed about their experience walking in an industrial-residential neighbourhood. We analyzed spontaneous mentions of sound and safety as a function of gender. Sound was linked to safety but implicitly and in two ways: sound informs about 1. road traffic risks (e.g., sound of a large truck passing close), or 2. presence of others in a space and time perceived as unsafe (e.g., knowing there are people around in case something happens). Women and men talked about road traffic risks in similar proportions and with similar themes (e.g., danger, stress, mitigation strategies). However, only women mentioned sound as indicating the (reassuring) presence of others. These results indicate implicit connections between safety and sound: sound can reflect danger (traffic risks) but also life and safety (presence of others), emphasizing that quiet is not always the goal, especially in the public space. We also discuss how different genders experience sound and safety while walking in public spaces.