Agogic Maps: From Musical Phrasing To Enhancement Of Urban Spaces (springerbriefs In Applied Sciences And Technology)

This book explores the value of the musical concept of “agogics” – the modification of regular rhythm to enhance expressive potential – in understanding urban spatial configurations within the current technological context and in developing urban maps that exploit sonic signals to create an open learning framework. The book starts by discussing the meaning and significance of agogics in the musical and artistic realm, with reference to the work of Adolphe Appia, Emile-Jaques Dalcroze, and Iannis Xenakis, among others. Its relevance to cartography and mapping is then examined, taking into account the contributions of Ian McHarg, Bill Hillier, Mark Shepard, and Robin Minard. The nature and value of agogic maps, for example in fostering awareness of place and effective organization of spatial development, are described in detail, with reference to case studies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Segrate, Italy. It is explained how agogic maps take advantage of innovative categories and scripting equipment to provide a new mapping instrument for spatial and urban configurations, highlighting the interdependence between aural signals and spatial variables. This book will be of interest to architects, urbanists, and musicians with a specific interest in space and sound design. Front Matter....Pages i-xvi The Imageless City. An Aural Approach to Locative Media and Informal Settlements....Pages 1-17 From Territorial Surveys to Mental Mapping. The Recognition of the Anthropological Image....Pages 19-27 Urban Samples. The Reconstruction of the Settlement Model....Pages 29-43 Agogic Maps. A Topography of Sound Signals for Spatial Orientation and Configuration....Pages 45-58 Back Matter....Pages 59-66