Architectural choices aimed at reducing the air pollution by vehicle emissions in residential areas

Abstract

Introduction. The formation of an optimal microclimate and ensuring the purity of atmospheric air in residential areas is possible in urban planning design practice by regulating the wind regime, which determines the thermal state of a person and the quality of the living environment, the temperature and humidity regime. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of the width, density, and planning techniques of main streets on the aeration regime and reduction of the concentration of motor transport emissions in the air of residential areas. Material and methods. The research was carried out both in full-scale conditions on the streets of large cities and residential buildings’ models at a scale of 1:20 using cup anemometers. Results. The regularities of the formation of the aeration regime and the level of gas contamination of main streets with different planning and development methods are established. The dependences of the coefficient of air flow transformation in terms of the speed on the width of streets and the size of gaps between buildings are obtained. Planning conditions that exclude the possibility of a closed circulation of impurities in street canyons are determined. The spatial and temporal dynamics of air pollution of transport communications in residential areas of settlements is studied. Conclusions. Hygienic standards for the content of motor transport emissions in the air of residential areas are provided by the optimal aeration mode, formed by choosing the width, position of the route, number of floors, planning techniques, and density of development of main streets. Simultaneously, it is necessary to introduce measures aimed at reducing the gross emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere and eliminating foci of atmospheric pollution on the transport networks of cities. When selecting urban planning decisions that ensure the environmental quality of the living environment of settlements in different geographical areas, it is necessary to consider the peculiarities of spatial-temporal dynamics of air pollution by transport and communications, due to changes in meteorological conditions and fluctuations in the intensity of traffic by hour of day, day of week and season of the year.