Green Infrastructure Impact on Air Pollution Reduction Considering the Effects of Meteorological and Climate Factors

Abstract

A major concern in urban areas is the low quality of air with high levels of particulate matter and various pollutants that have significant impacts on human health and global environment. Thus, there is an urgent need to reduce air pollution by implementing various short- and long-term actions. Skopje is also struggling with unprecedented increase in air pollution. This is the major motivation for the research presented in the paper. The objective is to provide an assessment of the influence of green walls on air quality in urban areas and correlate it with meteorological factors. Research has shown that one of the methods for decreasing air pollution in urban areas is by implementation of green walls, as plants absorb the particulate matter through their leaves and growing medium. The paper presents research undertaken to assess the influence of the meteorological factors, such as wind speed and direction, relative humidity, and temperature on air quality and to determine which one has the highest impact on particulate matter reduction. With daily monitoring of temperature, humidity, and heat variations near and within the green wall and a reference case, it is possible to analyse the effect of the green walls on air pollution reduction. The air quality monitoring system used to perform the experiments is a low-cost and energy-efficient solution that uses wireless sensor network technology that can be easily deployed in highly polluted areas. The paper presents results of the data analysis of the effect of meteorological and climatic factors in particulate matter reduction and the influence of the wind conditions, seasonal variations, and plant characteristics.