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Potential Impacts of Green Infrastructure on NOx and PM 10 in Different Local Climate Zones of Brindisi, Italy

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  • Natasha Picone

    (Instituto de Geografía, Historia y Ciencias Sociales, CONICET/UNCPBA, Centro de Investigaciones Geográficas, Facultad de Ciencias Humanas, Universidad Nacional del Centro de Buenos Aires, Pinto 399, Tandil 7000, Argentina
    Grupo de Geografía Física, Departamento de Geografía y Turismo, Universidad Nacional del Sur, 12 de Octubre 1098, 4to Piso, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina)

  • Antonio Esposito

    (Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, University of Salento, S.P. 6 Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Rohinton Emmanuel

    (School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK)

  • Riccardo Buccolieri

    (Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, University of Salento, S.P. 6 Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

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 PM 10 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Natasha Picone & Antonio Esposito & Rohinton Emmanuel & Riccardo Buccolieri, 2023. "Potential Impacts of Green Infrastructure on NOx and PM 10 in Different Local Climate Zones of Brindisi, Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-26, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2023:i:1:p:229-:d:1308009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dennis Y. C. Leung & Jeanie K. Y. Tsui & Feng Chen & Wing-Kin Yip & Lilian L. P. Vrijmoed & Chun-Ho Liu, 2011. "Effects of Urban Vegetation on Urban Air Quality," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(2), pages 173-188, April.
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