URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY: NOISE AND AIR POLLUTION IN CITIES
Keywords:
Urban environmental quality, noise, air pollution, sustainability, nature-based solutions, urban green structures, urban planing, public healthSynopsis
The book “Urban Environmental Quality: Noise and Air Pollution in Cities” offers an in-depth reflection on the interaction between the built environment, noise, and air pollution — key factors determining the quality of life and the sustainability of contemporary cities.
Adopting an interdisciplinary perspective that bridges urban engineering, environmental sciences, and urban planning, the book proposes an integrated reading of these two domains, which are often analysed separately. It demonstrates how their combined understanding enables the definition of more effective management strategies and public policies grounded in scientific knowledge.
Part I presents the conceptual and regulatory framework of both phenomena, addressing their main sources, measurement and modelling methods, and the impacts on human health and the urban environment. It also discusses European directives and Portuguese planning instruments, emphasizing the role of local authorities in implementing action plans and strategic maps for noise and air quality management.
Part II focuses on the practical application of these methodologies through case studies carried out in Viana do Castelo, Braga, and Vila Real. The CityAir and CityNoise-Air models, developed at the University of Minho, are highlighted for integrating noise and air quality indicators into a composite Urban Environmental Quality Index, supporting spatial analysis and sustainable urban planning.
The book also highlights the importance of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), particularly Urban Green Structures — green corridors, parks, green roofs and façades — for their capacity to filter pollutants, mitigate noise, and reduce the urban heat island effect. Overall, this work stands as a relevant scientific and technical contribution to professionals and researchers engaged in creating more sustainable, resilient, and healthy cities.
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May 12, 2026
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