Cymatic Urbanism: A Spatial Modelling Framework for Urban Noise Resilience

The rising health and ecological consequences of environmental noise remain critically underrepresented in urban policy frameworks across both the Global North and South despite being second only to air pollution in terms of environmental impact. While conventional mapping methods emphasize static exposure metrics, they often overlook vibrational impacts and mitigation pathways. The present study addresses this gap by introducing Cymatic Urbanism, a framework that reconceptualizes noise as a spatial force shaping land-use compatibility and public health exposure. Through the development of a multidimensional Noise Severity Coefficient (NSC) and an Equivalent Source Level (LESL) based buffer model, the study quantifies acoustic stress by integrating absorption (α), reflection (θ), and scaling (κ) factors across built and vegetated surfaces. Applied in Ludhiana, India, the model identified 0.98 km² of high-severity zones, validated against ISO 9613-2 predictions and monitoring data, with error margins within 10%. Scenario-based simulations revealed a 28–46% reduction in buffer distance through green façade retrofits along dense traffic corridors. The proposed Noise Severity Index (NSI) not only ensures empirical accuracy through sensitivity testing and calibration but also translates acoustic complexity into spatial intelligence. The study demonstrates that even cities with limited noise regulation can embed vibrational resilience directly into zoning and design, offering a scalable pathway toward health-centric, ecologically responsive urban futures.