Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Benefits of Green Infrastructures on Air Quality in Urban Spaces

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Urban and Rural Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 16228

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Vera Rodrigues

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

CESAM, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: green Infrastructures; air quality modelling; CFD modelling; thermal comfort; urban microclimate; climate change

Dr. Sandra Rafael

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

CESAM, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: air quality modelling; climate change; nature-based solutions; urban resilience; urban surface energy balance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Green Infrastructures such as urban forests, green parks, corridors, roofs and walls play an essential role as nature-based solutions to circumvent the current and future extreme events affecting urban areas, with particular attention to air pollution. Therefore, understanding the overall perturbations exerted by Green Infrastructures is essential to assess their impacts on the urban microclimate and on all the physical and chemical dispersion processes. This requires accurate measurements, complemented by distinct available tools, such as numerical and physical models, able to model the exchanges within the urban atmospheric boundary layer. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models have been applied to simulate the turbulent flow dynamics and the dispersion of atmospheric pollutants within the urban surface layer. CFD models usually account for the morphological characteristics of the urban environment, being able to simulate the perturbations caused by the urban obstacles to the flow dynamics. In particular, CFD models allow simulating the impact of urban vegetation on air pollution, mainly considering the effects of trees and shrubs induced by the mechanical drag of trees or by mechanisms of deposition and filtration. Still, up to now, most of the available studies have been performed over urban-like geometries, through idealized configurations. Although the effects of Green Infrastructures on urban atmospheric dynamics have been widely studied, deeper knowledge is still required focused on the overall perturbations induced by trees on the microclimate and, consequently, on the air pollution dispersion. Despite several contributions available from outdoor measurements, wind tunnel measurements, an extensive database on idealized street canyons and several CFD studies, the current understanding of turbulent flow dynamics within and around vegetation is not sufficient, denoting local increases and decreases in wind speed and turbulence, depending on several parameters (e.g., characteristics of vegetation, urban morphology and meteorological conditions). Therefore, there is a current knowledge gap, which motivates this Special Issue, linked with the need to contribute to improve the knowledge of the effects of green infrastructures on the microclimate at a very local scale and, consequently, on-air pollutant dispersion patterns.

The current Special Issue aims to foster the scientific knowledge on the microclimate and air pollution in urban areas, evaluating the benefits of Green Infrastructures as effective and innovative solutions to increase resilience of cities towards an urban sustainable development in line with the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations. Assessing the benefits of Green Infrastructures in urban areas strongly aligns with the Sustainability journal’s scope considering its crosscutting axis of environmental, cultural, economic, and social sustainability. The main objective of the Special Issue is to evaluate the impact of distinct Green Infrastructures on the urban microclimate and air quality, in recent past, current and future climates.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

Impacts of GI on air quality using CFD models
Impacts of GI on air quality or/and microclimate using measurements
Assessment of GI impacts using physical modeling
Impacts of GI on air quality using regional/ mesoscale models
Impacts of GI on pedestrian comfort
Impacts of GI on thermal comfort
Benefits of GI in adapting urban areas to climate change

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Vera Rodrigues
Dr. Sandra Rafael
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

nature-based solutions
urban environment
air quality
CFD modelling
wind tunnel
mesoscale models
thermal comfort
pedestrian comfort
future climate scenarios

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

25 pages, 7795 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Particulate Matter Deposition and Resuspension by Living Wall Systems in a Wind Tunnel Setup

by Tess Ysebaert, Kyra Koch, Roeland Samson and Siegfried Denys

Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10733; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310733 - 6 Dec 2024

Viewed by 439

Abstract

This study examines the particulate matter (PM) capture capacity of living wall systems (LWSs), focusing on leaf traits that facilitate PM deposition. Six LWS designs, differing in structure and substrate, were tested under constant airflow conditions with and without additional PM. Results showed that planter-based LWSs reduced PM_0.1 by 2% and PM_2.5 by 4%, while a textile LWS reduced PM_0.1 by 23% and PM_2.5 by 5%, though geotextile textile increased PM by 11% for both fractions. A moss substrate LWS worsened air quality, raising PM_0.1 by 2% and PM_2.5 by 5%. Magnetic analysis of leaf-deposited PM (SIRM) revealed species-specific differences (p < 0.001), with SIRM values ranging from 5 ± 1 µA to 260 ± 1 µA and higher PM accumulation in plants with lower specific leaf areas. No differences were observed in SIRM between deposition and resuspension phases, indicating the PM source lacked sufficient magnetisable particles. The findings highlight the potential of LWSs in urban environments for air quality improvement but underscore the importance of selecting suitable LWS structures and plant species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benefits of Green Infrastructures on Air Quality in Urban Spaces)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 3880 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Climate Change Projections through High-Resolution Modelling: A Comparative Study of Three European Cities

by Ana Ascenso, Bruno Augusto, Sílvia Coelho, Isilda Menezes, Alexandra Monteiro, Sandra Rafael, Joana Ferreira, Carla Gama, Peter Roebeling and Ana Isabel Miranda

Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7276; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177276 - 23 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1819

Abstract

Climate change is expected to influence urban living conditions, challenging cities to adopt mitigation and adaptation measures. This paper assesses climate change projections for different urban areas in Europe –Eindhoven (The Netherlands), Genova (Italy) and Tampere (Finland)—and discusses how nature-based solutions (NBS) can help climate change adaptation in these cities. The Weather Research and Forecasting Model was used to simulate the climate of the recent past and the medium-term future, considering the RCP4.5 scenario, using nesting capabilities and high spatial resolution (1 km²). Climate indices focusing on temperature-related metrics are calculated for each city: Daily Temperature Range, Summer Days, Tropical Nights, Icing Days, and Frost Days. Despite the uncertainties of this modelling study, it was possible to identify some potential trends for the future. The strongest temperature increase was found during winter, whereas warming is less distinct in summer, except for Tampere, which could experience warmer summers and colder winters. The warming in Genova is predicted mainly outside of the main urban areas. Results indicate that on average the temperature in Eindhoven will increase more than in Genova, while in Tampere a small reduction in annual average temperature was estimated. NBS could help mitigate the increase in Summer Days and Tropical Nights projected for Genova and Eindhoven in the warmer months, and the increase in the number of Frost Days and Icing Days in Eindhoven (in winter) and Tampere (in autumn). To avoid undesirable impacts of NBS, proper planning concerning the location and type of NBS, vegetation characteristics and seasonality, is needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benefits of Green Infrastructures on Air Quality in Urban Spaces)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

38 pages, 11667 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Creating a Roadmap to Forecast Future Directions in Vertical Green Structures as a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy: A Critical Review of Technology-Driven Applications

by Ozge Ogut, Julia Nerantzia Tzortzi and Chiara Bertolin

Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4543; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114543 - 27 May 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1441

Abstract

Urbanization exacerbates climate change impacts, making it crucial to develop innovative strategies for adaptation and mitigation. In this context, the “smartness” concept must be seen as the technical capability to forecast and adapt to changing conditions while maintaining livability and safety. This paper investigates the use of Vertical Green Structures (VGSs) as a mitigation strategy. Through a critical review of technology-driven applications, this research identifies key motivations and challenges in VGSs’ technological integration and implementation, governance frameworks, and community engagement. Methodologically, it employs a critical case analysis and categorizes the technologies based on multicriteria; it also explores the potential to implement smart green infrastructure (GI) in cities and the GI urban governance that was developed in previous decades to adopt these systems at an urban scale and increase the community’s awareness of them. The findings reveal diverse motivations driving technology and VGS integration, ranging from economic incentives to environmental sustainability. Additionally, this contribution explores possible future directions for VGSs and highlights three scenarios derived after the multidimensional impacts of climate change with their pros and cons in future cities. Multidisciplinary collaboration emerges as a crucial factor in optimizing technology implementations in VGSs and fostering a transition from nature-based solutions to technology-based solutions in urban sustainability initiatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benefits of Green Infrastructures on Air Quality in Urban Spaces)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 10682 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Outdoor Thermal Comfort for Campus Pedestrian Walkways in Thailand

by Naphat Suwanmanee, Nopadon Kronprasert, Chomphunut Sutheerakul, Kriangkrai Arunotayanun and Damrongsak Rinchumphu

Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020657 - 11 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1706

Abstract

Thermal comfort is an important subject to evaluate the quality of outdoor environments. This study investigated outdoor thermal conditions and the thermal comfort perception of pedestrians using walkways within a university campus in Thailand, located in the hot and humid tropical region. In this field study, microclimate measurements were conducted to assess the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) of walkways, and on-site questionnaire surveys (n = 400) were used to evaluate the thermal sensation votes of pedestrians in different walkway conditions. The results revealed that the neutral PET was 25.2 °C and its acceptable range was 24.6–32.0 °C. Most pedestrians accept the thermal conditions of all walkway types but at different levels of acceptability, albeit in a slightly warm sensation. Among different walkway types, the cantilever-covered walkway with sparse trees yields the closest PET to the neutral PET. The most comfortable and favorable walkway is that with a lower air temperature, less sunlight, and higher wind ventilation. The studies on the outdoor thermal comfort of pedestrian walkways could benefit urban planners and engineers in designing physical and environmental conditions of walkways as well as promoting non-motorized transport and green university campuses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benefits of Green Infrastructures on Air Quality in Urban Spaces)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 9290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potential Impacts of Green Infrastructure on NOx and PM₁₀ in Different Local Climate Zones of Brindisi, Italy

by Natasha Picone, Antonio Esposito, Rohinton Emmanuel and Riccardo Buccolieri

Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010229 - 26 Dec 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1507

Abstract

This study delves into Green Infrastructure (GI) planning in Brindisi, Italy, evaluating its influence on urban air quality and thermal comfort. Employing an LCZ-centered Geographic Information System (GIS)-based classification protocol, the prevalence of LCZ 6 (Open low-rise) and LCZ 2 (Compact mid-rise) is highlighted. Despite generally low PM₁₀ levels in Brindisi, intermittent NOx spikes surpassing WHO and EU standards pose health risks. Within LCZ 2, diverse GI interventions (green walls, hedges, trees) were tested, with green walls emerging as the most effective, albeit falling short of expectations, while trees exhibited adverse air quality impacts. LCZ 6 demonstrated enhanced air quality attributed to wind patterns, GI, and urban canyon improvements. Thermal comfort analysis consistently revealed positive outcomes across various GI types, reducing discomfort by a minimum of 10%. The study emphasized GI’s favorable comfort impact on sidewalks but cautioned against trees in street canyons with aspect ratios exceeding 0.7, heightening pollutant levels and implying increased exposure risks. Conversely, street canyons with lower aspect ratios displayed variable conditions influenced by prevailing regional wind patterns. In conclusion, the integrated assessment of LCZ and GI holds promise for informed urban planning, guiding decisions that prioritize healthier, more sustainable cities. This underscores the crucial need to balance GI strategies for optimal urban development, aligning with the overarching goal of promoting urban well-being and sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benefits of Green Infrastructures on Air Quality in Urban Spaces)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2710 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Urban Green System Planning Insights for a Spatialized Balance between PM₁₀ Dust Retention Capacity of Trees and Urban Vehicular PM₁₀ Emissions

by MariaElena Menconi, Rosaria Abbate, Luca Simone and David Grohmann

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 5888; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075888 - 28 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3249

Abstract

Reducing air pollution is a crucial challenge in urban areas. In this regard, urban green infrastructures could play a pivotal role. In the literature, scholars analyzed both the ability of species-specific and layout-specific green infrastructures to reduce air pollution and the best location sites of new green infrastructures to increase the provision of overall ecosystem services. There is a lack of studies helping green urban planners and designers choose where and which green infrastructure to implement based on vegetation species-specific performance and differentiated demand for the ecosystem services of city areas. This paper uses tree cadastre data from a medium-sized city in central Italy (Perugia) and the traffic open-layers of Gmaps to develop a spatial analysis of the urban trees’ performance in PM₁₀ dust retention, and the PM₁₀ produced by vehicular emissions, respectively. The method generates a spatialized balance between demand (air-polluted sites by traffic) and supply (PM₁₀ dust retention by trees) to support local decisions about the best locations for new green infrastructures and the choice between species. The paper analyzed 6710 urban trees in an area of 42.62 km² with a linear road density of 15 km/km². Platanus hybrida Mill. ex Münchh, Celtis australis L., Ulmus carpinifolia L., Pinus pinaster Aiton, Quercus ilex L., Quercus robur L., and Tilia cordata Mill. are the resulting optimal species to reduce PM₁₀, with median values of 219.62, 181.47, 166.67, 154.66, 143.90, 118.61, and 118.04 g tree⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively. The paper is a first contribution in developing GIS-based tools that vary the recommended location sites and species for new green infrastructures based on the demanded ecosystem service. Urban planners are called to dynamically use and integrate numerous tools, such as the one developed here, to seek complex solutions capable of increasing the sustainability of urban systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benefits of Green Infrastructures on Air Quality in Urban Spaces)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

24 pages, 8221 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Practical Green Infrastructure Intervention to Mitigate Air Pollution in a UK School Playground

by María del Carmen Redondo Bermúdez, Rohit Chakraborty, Ross W. Cameron, Beverley J. Inkson and Maria Val Martin

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1075; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021075 - 6 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4871

Abstract

Air pollution severely compromises children’s health and development, causing physical and mental implications. We have explored the use of site-specific green infrastructure (green barriers) in a school playground in Sheffield, UK, as an air-pollution-mitigation measure to improve children’s environment. The study assessed air quality pre-post intervention and compared it with two control sites. Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter <2.5 µm in size (PM_2.5) concentration change was assessed via three methods: (1) continuous monitoring with fixed devices (de-seasonalised); (2) monthly monitoring with diffusion tubes (spatial analysis); (3) intermittent monitoring with a mobile device at children’s height (spatial analysis). De-seasonalised results indicate a reduction of 13% for NO₂ and of 2% for PM_2.5 in the school playground after two years of plant establishment. Further reductions in NO₂ levels (25%) were observed during an exceptionally low mobility period (first COVID-19 lockdown); this is contrary to PM_2.5 levels, which increased. Additionally, particles captured by a green barrier plant, Hedera helix ‘Woerner’, were observed and analysed using SEM/EDX techniques. Particle elemental analysis suggested natural and potential anthropogenic origins, potentially signalling vehicle traffic. Overall, green barriers are a valid complementary tool to improve school air quality, with quantifiable and significant air pollution changes even in our space-constrained site. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benefits of Green Infrastructures on Air Quality in Urban Spaces)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Benefits of Green Infrastructures on Air Quality in Urban Spaces

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI