Exploring Urban Spaces Through Virtual Soundwalk: Derinkuyu Underground City

Abstract

Soundscape research plays a vital role in understanding historical environments by complementing visual interpretation and enhancing spatial perception. This study is part of a doctoral research which focuses on uncovering the acoustic identity and soundscape of Derinkuyu Underground City, a unique subterranean heritage site in Cappadocia, Turkey. Adapting the framework of ISO/TS 12913-2:2018, the research integrates soundscape methodologies with virtual reality (VR) to reconstruct the auditory experience of the site. Virtual soundwalk as an innovative method is significant in defining soundscapes and uncovering their historical narratives. This particular study aims to adapt and refine the virtual soundwalk methodology outlined in ISO/TS 12913-2:2018 to describe the soundscape of Derinkuyu Underground City, an urban-scale interior environment. Key interior typologies were identified based on function, scale, and spatial hierarchy, forming a structured VR soundwalk that guides participants through different levels of the city, from the entrance to the deepest, seventh level. The chosen typologies represent the entirety of the city's levels and spaces. The models integrate distinctive sound sources specific to each interior space, establishing a taxonomy and enriching these environments with sound scenarios. The scenarios were auralized using ODEON software and integrated into the virtual reality models. Auralized sound scenarios, developed using ODEON software, were embedded into 3D VR models to simulate the acoustic conditions of the underground spaces. At designated listening points, participants experience immersive reconstructions of historical soundscapes, reflecting the functional and social dynamics of the site. This study underscores the significance of soundscape in interpreting cultural heritage and highlights the potential of VR technology in preserving and experiencing historical acoustic environments. By refining virtual soundwalk methodologies, it contributes to advancing soundscape research and its applications in heritage conservation.