Chapter 23
Modelling the Potential of Green
Infrastructures to Reduce the Impact
of Climate Change on Air Quality
at Microscale
Vera Rodrigues, Sandra Sorte, Sílvia Coelho, Sandra Rafael, Ana Ascenso,
Myriam Lopes, Ana Isabel Miranda and Carlos Borrego
Abstract This work focus on the assessment of green infrastructures benefits on
air quality in Porto urban area, applying the CFD model VADIS to a particular area
within the city. Three scenarios have been considered: (i) the baseline refers to the
current morphological characteristics of the area; (ii) a green scenario comprises the
replacement of built-up areas by green areas; and (iii) a green scenario corresponding
to the implementation of green roofs. The results of baseline simulations shows a
good agreement with local measurements with a NMSE of 0.4, 0.6 and 2.1 for CO,
NO 2 and PM10 concentrations, respectively. The benefits of green infrastructures
on air quality are assessed for future medium-term climate scenarios (2041–2070),
applying a cascade of numerical models, from global to urban scale, the WRF-VADIS
modelling system. Future climate data point out a decrease in the number of days with
moderate to strong wind speed, and an increase in the number of days recording low
wind speed conditions. The assessment of green infrastructures effects on air quality
under future climate focus on low wind speed conditions. The results clearly show
the disturbances exerted by green infrastructures, which are positively or negatively
affecting mainly the adapted areas and their close surroundings.
23.1 Introduction
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models are a powerful tool to assess the local
microclimate, considering in detail the morphological characteristics of the urban
environment. In particular, CFD have been applied to assess the role of vegetation
V. Rodrigues (B) · S. Sorte · S. Coelho · S. Rafael · A. Ascenso · M. Lopes ·
A. I. Miranda · C. Borrego
CESAM and Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro,
3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
e-mail: vera.rodrigues@ua.pt
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
C. Mensink et al. (eds.), Air Pollution Modeling and its Application XXVI,
Springer Proceedings in Complexity,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22055-6_23
147
Modelling the Potential of Green
Infrastructures to Reduce the Impact
of Climate Change on Air Quality
at Microscale
Vera Rodrigues, Sandra Sorte, Sílvia Coelho, Sandra Rafael, Ana Ascenso,
Myriam Lopes, Ana Isabel Miranda and Carlos Borrego
Abstract This work focus on the assessment of green infrastructures benefits on
air quality in Porto urban area, applying the CFD model VADIS to a particular area
within the city. Three scenarios have been considered: (i) the baseline refers to the
current morphological characteristics of the area; (ii) a green scenario comprises the
replacement of built-up areas by green areas; and (iii) a green scenario corresponding
to the implementation of green roofs. The results of baseline simulations shows a
good agreement with local measurements with a NMSE of 0.4, 0.6 and 2.1 for CO,
NO 2 and PM10 concentrations, respectively. The benefits of green infrastructures
on air quality are assessed for future medium-term climate scenarios (2041–2070),
applying a cascade of numerical models, from global to urban scale, the WRF-VADIS
modelling system. Future climate data point out a decrease in the number of days with
moderate to strong wind speed, and an increase in the number of days recording low
wind speed conditions. The assessment of green infrastructures effects on air quality
under future climate focus on low wind speed conditions. The results clearly show
the disturbances exerted by green infrastructures, which are positively or negatively
affecting mainly the adapted areas and their close surroundings.
23.1 Introduction
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models are a powerful tool to assess the local
microclimate, considering in detail the morphological characteristics of the urban
environment. In particular, CFD have been applied to assess the role of vegetation
V. Rodrigues (B) · S. Sorte · S. Coelho · S. Rafael · A. Ascenso · M. Lopes ·
A. I. Miranda · C. Borrego
CESAM and Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro,
3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
e-mail: vera.rodrigues@ua.pt
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
C. Mensink et al. (eds.), Air Pollution Modeling and its Application XXVI,
Springer Proceedings in Complexity,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22055-6_23
147