Noise Levels In Medieval Towns In Transylvania. Case Study: Bistrița
Noise Levels In Medieval Towns In Transylvania. Case Study: Bistrița

Summary/Abstract: In the context of contemporary concerns about the quality of the urban environment, this research investigates noise levels in medieval towns in Transylvania, with a case study applied in Bistrița. The main aim is to assess the current noise impact in historic areas in relation to the inherited urban structure and contemporary social dynamics. The methodology included acoustic field measurements taken with a class II sound level meter in different time intervals and functional areas, followed by data processing in MATLAB and spatial representation using dbmaps. The results indicate significant variations in noise levels depending on the type of urban activities, with high values in commercial and transit areas, even in the protected perimeter of the historic centre. Analysis reveals an antagonism between the preservation of heritage and the noise pressures associated with tourism, traffic, and social activities, indicating an emerging need for regulations tailored to the local context. The research advances a multifaceted awareness of the medieval city soundscape in our times by theorising an integrated approach of urban geography, environmental acoustics and sustainable urban planning with direct quality of life and historic area protection policy implications.

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