Soundscapes in Arab Cities: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda

Abstract

In the context of Arab cities, this study explores the intricate interplay between cultural, historical, and environmental elements that shape their unique soundscapes. The paper aims to shed light on this underrepresented field of study by employing a three-fold research approach: systematic review, a comprehensive literature review, and the formulation of a future research agenda. The first part of the investigation focuses on research productivity in the Arab world regarding soundscape studies. An analysis of publication trends reveals that soundscape research in Arab cities is still an emerging area of interest. Critical gaps in the existing body of literature are identified, highlighting the importance of addressing these gaps within the broader context of global soundscape research. The second part of the study delves into the distinctive features that inform the soundscapes of Arab cities. These features are categorized into three overarching groups: (i) cultural and religious life, (ii) daily life, and (iii) heritage and history, by exploring these factors, the study aims to elucidate the multifaceted nature of Arab urban soundscapes. From the resonating calls to prayer and the vibrant ambiance of traditional cafes to the bustling markets and architectural characteristics, each factor contributes to the auditory tapestry that defines Arab cities. The paper concludes with a forward-looking research agenda, proposing sixteen key questions organized into descriptive and comparative categories. These questions emphasize the need for a more profound understanding of sound perception, sources, and the impact of urban morphology on the soundscape. Additionally, they highlight the need for interdisciplinary research, involving fields such as urban planning, architecture, psychology, sociology, and cultural studies to unravel the complexity of Arab urban soundscapes.

Noise Pollution Studies in the Arab World: A Scientometric Analysis and Research Agenda

“…The methodology of this research was designed based on previous systematic reviews [24,27,30]. This study followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines [31] (see Supplementary Materials).…”

“…Conversely, despite the significance of this topic, a noticeable absence of literature reviews on this subject within the Arab world has been observed. Based on the authors' knowledge, there has been no published systematic review on noise pollution studies in the Arab world, and only one systematic review paper on soundscape studies was published in 2024 [27]. This lack of scholarly work underscores a considerable gap in academic discussion.…”

“…[34]. Although systematic review studies often utilize two or three databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, it has been demonstrated that relying solely on the Scopus database effectively covers the most relevant literature in the field of built environment studies, especially in acoustics [23,27,30,35].…”

“…However, it is important to recognize that an exclusive focus on the peer-reviewed literature may limit the review's scope. Significant findings shared in conference papers, books, theses, and other forms of grey literature could be inadvertently overlooked [27,33].…”

“…[34]. Although systematic review studies often utilize two or three databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, it has been demonstrated that relying solely on the Scopus database effectively covers the most relevant literature in the field of built environment studies, especially in acoustics [23,27,30,35]. This research was carried out using the Scopus database tools, using the following terms with the associated meanings: subject = noise pollution OR nuisance AND country by country (covering the 22 Arab countries included in this study located in Africa (Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, and Tunisia) and Asia (Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, and Yemen)); language = all; type of document = all (to gain a general overview of scientific publications); and no time limits for the search were applied.…”