Exhibtion: Integrating Soundscapes and Community Experiences

About the exhibition

Katendrecht, once Rotterdam’s historic harbour district, has transformed over the years, evolving socially and culturally. These changes resonate profoundly in its soundscape, offering a unique lens to explore how auditory environments shape identity and community.

As part of the NOISE® (New Outlooks in Sonic Environmental Resilience) research initiative, supported by Resilient Delta, this exhibition delves into Katendrecht’s auditory landscape. It reveals how sounds — from ship horns and distant traffic to local chatter — convey the rhythms of urban life and influence how people connect with their surroundings.

Through a combination of fieldwork and dialogues with the local community, the research explores the intricate relationship between sound and place. It highlights how layers of auditory cues and urban rhythms define neighborhood experiences, shaping collective memory and individual perceptions.

The exhibition culminates in a multi-layered artwork by Nadia Nena, featuring several drawings that reflect the complexity of Katendrecht’s soundscape. The artwork interweaves three interconnected layers — space, sound, and perception — to capture the essence of how sound uniquely shapes place, identity, and memory in this vibrant, evolving neighbourhood.