The writing of this thesis has been not only an
intellectual journey, but also a fabulous life experience,
made possible by several people around me. First, I would
like to thank Dr. Andra McCartney, who helped me find my
passion and encouraged me to pursue it in Vancouver. I am
also gratefully indebted to Prof. Barry Truax, my Senior
Supervisor and greatest inspiration for the two years that
lasted this project. He consistently supported me through
my sometimes fast-paced intellectual inquiries, and helped
me to unravel all these cultural and linguistic subtleties
with which I still struggle.
I must also thank Dr. Alison Beale for taking on the role
of the Second Supervisor for a somewhat
‘extravagant’ thesis topic, and for providing
me with valuable advice and constant support. Dr. Len
Evenden, my Internal Examiner, allowed me to appreciate the
complementary nature of geography and soundscape studies,
and by the same way helped me to clarify my thoughts about
sound and space.
Finally, I want to thank my parents and family, without
whom I would probably not be where I am now—although
that also meant far away from them for a long while. A big
thanks also to my friend and colleague Darvin Jones, for
all those everlasting conversations at Turk's and the
constant support you brought to my project. My last thanks,
I keep for Karine, my partner and greatest supporter
through this fantastic adventure.