Encon Sustainability Award - Air Quality

Spatial interventions to reduce air pollution and exposure in street canyons | Case study: Belgiëlei

Various studies and policy objectives highlight the importance of good air quality for human health. This challenge is all the greater in cities, where exposure to pollutants is higher due to high population density and activity levels. Here, the lack of air circulation within certain streets (enclosed by tall buildings) leads to the accumulation of pollutants and thus the formation of street canyons. The policy focus on reducing emissions and implementing traffic measures has so far proved insufficient, and pollution standards are still being exceeded. A solution may lie in the additional use of spatial interventions, which are currently little known or virtually unknown among spatial planners.