Modelling the Potential of Green Infrastructures to Reduce the Impact of Climate Change on Air Quality at Microscale

Rodrigues, Véra; Sorte, Sandra; Coelho, Sílvia; Rafael, Sandra; Ascenso, Ana; Lopes, Myriam; Miranda, Ana Isabel; Borrego, Carlos

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-22055-6_23

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…It is common to assess the impact of NBS on air quality by estimating the amount of pollutant removed through deposition [7]- [9]. However, there are also various studies assessing the impact of NBS on the urban air quality based on modelling approaches [6], [10]- [16], which allows the calculation of pollutants concentrations in the air integrating the effects of NBS on temperature and dispersion conditions. Most of the available air quality modelling studies concern microscale (in the range of metres) [10], [17], [18], but there are also several mesoscale (in the range of kilometres) modelling studies [6], [12], [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, there are also various studies assessing the impact of NBS on the urban air quality based on modelling approaches [6], [10]- [16], which allows the calculation of pollutants concentrations in the air integrating the effects of NBS on temperature and dispersion conditions. Most of the available air quality modelling studies concern microscale (in the range of metres) [10], [17], [18], but there are also several mesoscale (in the range of kilometres) modelling studies [6], [12], [13]. Therefore, the estimation of the NBS potential to improve air quality can change depending on the methodology used.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How Effective Are Nature-Based Solutions in Different Environments?

Ascenso

Gama

Roebeling

et al. 2021

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment

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Air pollution is a major global concern in urban areas and it is considered the greatest environmental risk to health. Nature-based solutions (NBS) can help improve air quality and reduce the urban heat island effect. The impacts of urban vegetation on air quality and ambient temperature depend on many factors, such as vegetation type, location, pollutants, climate conditions and topography. Therefore, the implementation of NBS needs to be tailored for each city. Within the context of the H2020 UNaLab project, the main objective of this work is to assess the potential of NBS to improve air quality across three European cities with different climates: (i) Eindhoven, The Netherlands; (ii) Tampere, Finland; and (iii) Genova, Italy. The WRF-CHEM model was applied for the hottest week in a present climate reference year. The baseline case (without NBS) and two NBS scenarios were simulated for each city. These scenarios (green roofs and green parks) were implemented in the model by modifying the land-use type and the emissions of the model grid cells. According to the model results, the city that least benefited from NBS was Tampere with an average reduction of 5% in surface temperature, and 1% in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O 3 ) concentrations. Temperature-wise Genova and Eindhoven had similar results, approximately 6% reduction, while Genova showed the largest improvement in NO 2 (12%). These results indicate that NBS are more effective in high temperature and high air pollution cities, such as Genova. Moreover, this study reinforces the importance of studying case-specific solutions, considering environmental characteristics and challenges.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Effective Are Nature-Based Solutions in Different Environments?

Ascenso

Gama

Roebeling

et al. 2021

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Setting up a CFD model to evaluate the impact of green infrastructures on local air quality

Rodrigues,

Augusto,

Oliveira

et al. 2024

Air Qual Atmos Health

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Green infrastructures have been pointed out as innovative solutions to deal with current and future challenges related to air pollution and climate change. Although the potential of green infrastructures, such as green walls and green roofs, to mitigate air pollution has been documented, evidence at a local scale is still limited. This work aims to increase knowledge about the potentialities of green infrastructures in improving local air quality, focusing on particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone pollutants, and by using a local-scale computational fluid dynamics model. The ENVI-met model was applied to a particular hour of a summer day over a built-up environment centred on a main avenue in the city of Lisbon (Portugal). The dimensions of the computational domain are 618 m × 594 m × 143 m, and it contains 184 buildings, with the tallest building being 56 m. In addition to the baseline simulation, modelling was also done considering the application of green walls and green roofs to specific buildings located near the main avenue, together with a green corridor. The overall results show no disturbances exerted by green walls on the turbulent flow dynamics and on the air quality levels when compared to the baseline scenario (without green walls). The integrated scenario, which includes green walls, green roofs and a green corridor, will lead to potential local benefits of green infrastructures on O3 concentrations, followed by variable impacts on NO2 and particulate matter concentrations.

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Modelling the Potential of Green Infrastructures to Reduce the Impact of Climate Change on Air Quality at Microscale

Cited by 2 publications

References 5 publications

How Effective Are Nature-Based Solutions in Different Environments?

How Effective Are Nature-Based Solutions in Different Environments?

Setting up a CFD model to evaluate the impact of green infrastructures on local air quality

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