Temporary transit architecture: Reconstruction of dynamic soundscape through moment-based adaptive spaces

Department of Architecture, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Kampus ITS, Sukolilo, Surabaya, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

During seasonal mass migrations such as the Idulfitri Mudik (an annual homecoming tradition), transit hubs experience surges in activity that overwhelm conventional infrastructure, straining operational capacity and undermining livability. This situation highlights the need for temporary transit architecture that can dynamically adapt to fluctuating demand, providing spatial configurations and sensory environments. This study addresses that challenge by developing flexible architectural design solutions to accommodate crowd surges during Mudik, with a key focus on dynamic soundscape engineering to create contextually attuned auditory environments. The research interweaves adaptive architecture theory with practice, employing in-situ observations at transit hubs during the Mudik period, acoustic simulations, iterative laboratory prototyping of adaptive spatial configurations, and user experience evaluations to refine design interventions that preserve everyday functionality while scaling for peak festive crowds. Findings indicate that tailoring the soundscape to the event's cultural context enables transit spaces to accommodate crowd fluctuations and maintain a sense of place even at peak occupancy. These adaptive interventions offer practical strategies for efficiently managing transit hubs during the Mudik period, and the study advances architectural theory and practice by establishing a conceptual framework for temporary transit architecture within the context of periodic mass travel events.