Urban Air Quality
33
33
in Erickson et al. (2017). For reducing health impacts, the sources contributing to human exposure should be known. For example, based on published
data for PM2.5, Karagulian et al. (2015) reported that, globally, 25% of urban
air pollution is contributed by traffic, 15% by industrial activities, 20% by
domestic fuel burning, 18% from natural dust and salt, and 22% from other
unspecified sources. Since many pollutants are generated via combustion
processes, actions to reduce combustion are important in efforts to improve
air quality. These include eliminating the combustion of coal and other
solid fuels as much as possible, including transitioning to electric vehicles
and replacing other gasoline and diesel engines with electric power that is
generated cleanly by solar, wind, hydro, or nuclear systems. When the value
of better health because of improved air quality is considered, the benefits of
making this transition are cost effective in many cities. The social cost of $4
trillion per year associated with poor air quality is a significant incentive to
find ways to reduce combustion in urban environments. Wang et al. (2016)
reviewed 15 recent publications and recommended four specific actions: 1)
regulations on air emissions, 2) road traffic interventions, 3) energy generation changes, and 4) reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to reduce
concentrations of PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides in the air.
One of the ways that combustion emissions can be reduced is by taking action
to promote and support walking and bicycle transportation. The pathways for
walking and cycling should be safe and comprehensive. It is also beneficial if
these paths are away from combustion sources so the air is better. Integration
of public transportation and bike paths – so that people can take their bikes on
public transport, ride with other passengers, and then find a good bike path for
the next part of their trip – has value. There is a need to have sufficient and convenient parking for bicycles, as well as charge stations for electric bicycles. Some
communities have bicycle share programs, where individuals may make use of
a bike by riding it from one bike rack to another.
Another way to help with emissions is to have more natural features and
spaces. Vegetation can provide environmental services by removing pollutants
from the air. Parks with plants and trees, vegetation along streets and roads,
and hedges that do not reduce visibility at intersections have public air quality
benefits. Abhijith et al. (2017) reviewed the literature on air pollution abatement
by vegetation and reported on the benefits of several alternatives. This can fit
well alongside increased support for walking and cycling; cities can develop
bike paths away from the road, with vegetation to reduce noise and capture air
pollutants so that citizens are encouraged to travel by bicycle.
A number of cities have low- or zero- emission zones where people walk,
ride bicycles, or take electric public transportation. In some low emission
zones, a fee must be paid to drive into the area. More than 200 low emission
zones have been established in Europe (Erickson et al., 2017: Wang et al.,
2016). One alternative to further incentivize the adoption of electric vehicles
is to allow electric passenger cars and electric delivery trucks in some of these
areas, as they do not alter their status as low emission zones.
33
33
in Erickson et al. (2017). For reducing health impacts, the sources contributing to human exposure should be known. For example, based on published
data for PM2.5, Karagulian et al. (2015) reported that, globally, 25% of urban
air pollution is contributed by traffic, 15% by industrial activities, 20% by
domestic fuel burning, 18% from natural dust and salt, and 22% from other
unspecified sources. Since many pollutants are generated via combustion
processes, actions to reduce combustion are important in efforts to improve
air quality. These include eliminating the combustion of coal and other
solid fuels as much as possible, including transitioning to electric vehicles
and replacing other gasoline and diesel engines with electric power that is
generated cleanly by solar, wind, hydro, or nuclear systems. When the value
of better health because of improved air quality is considered, the benefits of
making this transition are cost effective in many cities. The social cost of $4
trillion per year associated with poor air quality is a significant incentive to
find ways to reduce combustion in urban environments. Wang et al. (2016)
reviewed 15 recent publications and recommended four specific actions: 1)
regulations on air emissions, 2) road traffic interventions, 3) energy generation changes, and 4) reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to reduce
concentrations of PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides in the air.
One of the ways that combustion emissions can be reduced is by taking action
to promote and support walking and bicycle transportation. The pathways for
walking and cycling should be safe and comprehensive. It is also beneficial if
these paths are away from combustion sources so the air is better. Integration
of public transportation and bike paths – so that people can take their bikes on
public transport, ride with other passengers, and then find a good bike path for
the next part of their trip – has value. There is a need to have sufficient and convenient parking for bicycles, as well as charge stations for electric bicycles. Some
communities have bicycle share programs, where individuals may make use of
a bike by riding it from one bike rack to another.
Another way to help with emissions is to have more natural features and
spaces. Vegetation can provide environmental services by removing pollutants
from the air. Parks with plants and trees, vegetation along streets and roads,
and hedges that do not reduce visibility at intersections have public air quality
benefits. Abhijith et al. (2017) reviewed the literature on air pollution abatement
by vegetation and reported on the benefits of several alternatives. This can fit
well alongside increased support for walking and cycling; cities can develop
bike paths away from the road, with vegetation to reduce noise and capture air
pollutants so that citizens are encouraged to travel by bicycle.
A number of cities have low- or zero- emission zones where people walk,
ride bicycles, or take electric public transportation. In some low emission
zones, a fee must be paid to drive into the area. More than 200 low emission
zones have been established in Europe (Erickson et al., 2017: Wang et al.,
2016). One alternative to further incentivize the adoption of electric vehicles
is to allow electric passenger cars and electric delivery trucks in some of these
areas, as they do not alter their status as low emission zones.