WHAT’S
THAT
SOUND?













Let’s bring Bristol’s sonic identity alive!



Sound is a fundamental part of our cities. It contributes to the vibrancy and urban identity of a place, as well as the health and wellbeing of its citizen. Unfortunately, sound is often overlooked or simply overshadowed by noise. This campaign promotes the soundscapes of Bristol and lets them come to life. Digital posters around the city invite you to take off your headphones, pause for a moment and listen to the acoustic universe around you.























Noise Pollution

Our cities are getting constantly louder and urban soundscapes are overshadowed by noise. And we are causing this ‘noise pollution.’

‘Noise pollution’ is unwanted or disturbing noise that affects the health and well-being of humans and other organisms. It is an invisible danger that does not smell nor leave any visible traces in the environment. Nonetheless, the short and long term consequences are severe. Being exposed to noise cannot only lead to hearing loss, but also to non-auditory effects, such as high stress levels, aggression, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular effects, or poorer work and school performance. 
Like other pollutants, noise is spread unequally within a city and certain parts of society suffer the most from it. Those who can afford it, live in quiet areas, with insulated windows and air conditioning. Others have to live next to busy streets and noisy neighbourhoods.

The high exposure to noise impacts our habits and daily routines. When was the last time you went for a walk without your noise cancelling headphones on? 

Noise is an invisible pollutant. It is important to raise public awareness and make visible what one cannot see.











Urban Soundscapes

Sirens and seagulls, skateboarders, street musicians, and the church bells of St Mary Redcliffe - Bristol is made of many sounds. Some appear subtile and fragile, others are impossible to ignore.

Other than noise, sound is regarded as something positive. Soundscapes entail all audible sounds, perceived within a specific area. They are an identifying feature of a city and should be seen as sources of meaning, which add to the quality and the liveability of a place.

We humans shape the soundscapes in our cities. Each area and community within a city has its unique sonic footprint. The sounds of one residential area might differ from another, depending on the natural environment and the people who live there. Every unique sound is shaping the cultural spirit and sonic identity of a place.
Despite their important role, soundscapes are often overlooked and underestimated. Not only by citizen, also by architects, urban designers and city planners.

Soundscapes need to get more attention, in order to tackle the problem of urban noise pollution. Only the appreciation of the acoustic environment can give us the resources to improve the orchestration of urban soundscapes. The city belongs to all of us, so let us hear it!

Quiet spaces are a luxury good in a city like Bristol, but they exist. Quietness is not defined by silence, or by the absence of sound, but by the composition of different sounds. Areas with good acoustic quality are important for people’s health and wellbeing. They are a space to escape the noise and a resource for regeneration and retreat.

If you want to experience another quiet side of Bristol, check out the map of quiet spaces in Bristol.







Quiet Spaces –
Bristol City Centre


1. Queens Square
2. Bristol Harbourside
3. College Green

4. Millennium Promenade
5. Brandon Hill
6. Berkley Square
7. Royal Fort Gardens

This map is extracted from the HUSH CITY App and shows a snapshot of seven key places in central Bristol, which were perceived as quiet during daytime. The data was collected during over 250 soundwalks in Bristol from 2017-2022.

HUSH CITY is a free, citizen science mobile app, which empowers people to identify and access quiet areas in cities. To find out more about quiet places in and outside of Bristol, visit and download the App.

If you are interested in collective soundwalks, join the Bristol Soundwalks project and their monthly walks through Bristol.