Soundscape of Resort Towns in Caucasus Mineral Waters

Abstract

Introduction. The article investigates the sound space of resort towns in Caucasus Mineral Waters by the example of the two largest of them, namely Pyatigorsk and Kislovodsk. The concept of the sound space of the city is considered, the main modern aspects of sound research in the city are highlighted. Based on the collected field data, an attempt is made to qualitatively assess the sound environment of cities, especially important for resort towns. For the central parts of the cities, the differentiation of the sound space was carried out, reflecting the type of social use of the territories.
Materials and research methods. The data of field measurements of sound in cities were obtained during the field practice of geography students in socio-economic geography in 2022. The cartographic method, normative approach and typology are used in the course of the study.
Research results and their discussion. The sound space of the studied resort towns has typical features of modern Russian cities. The resort function is not reflected in the sound space. The main factors of its formation are transport highways, human and commercial activities. Recreational areas are more comfortable in terms of sound, having their own internal specifics. In general, the level of noise pollution depends on the types of prevailing sounds in the territory. A microgeographic study of the central resort parts of the cities showed a complete lack of understanding and requirements for sound comfort.
Conclusions. In urban studies, there is an increase in interest in sound in the city, the allocation of sound space and its cultural and geographical differences. Sound can identify universal socio-cultural structures, act as a source of conceptual and methodological constructions. Sound studies help comprehend existing social practices and their contexts. The resort towns of the Caucasus Mineral Waters were founded without taking into account the comfort of the sound environment. As a result, the characteristics of their sound space do not differ from ordinary cities.