Pub Date : 2022-09-01DOI: 10.1177/09754253221120616
M. Swapan, Md. Sayed Iftekhar, Xiyuan Li
Urban parks are an essential component of city infrastructure providing multiple ecosystem services. While there are many studies exploring the usage of urban parks within a country, cross-country comparisons are rare. Comparative studies of use–diversity of urban parks between developing and developed countries are almost absent. To address this research gap, we have compared use–diversity of two major urban parks in China (Dufu Cottage in Chengdu—DC) and in Australia (Kings Park in Perth—KP). Using a post-occupancy survey questionnaire, we addressed two key questions: (a) is there any difference in use–diversity between these urban parks? And (b) which demographic and socio-economic factors influence use pattern of urban parks the most? We observed that, in general, use frequency is lower in DC when compared to KP. In both parks, the opportunity of physical activity is the most important motive for visitation. Most of the usage is concentrated during the weekends in DC; KP was used more consistently throughout the week. Various socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, income level and frequency of visits, have some influence on frequency and diversity of usage. The impact of socio-demographic factors on the extent of use highlights the importance of understanding users’ profiles to adopt more targeted measures to address local demands. The study identified some common patterns and differences in use–diversity between the two parks, underscoring the potential for managers of these parks in both countries, for mutual learning and adopting best management practices.
{"title":"Factors Influencing Use–diversity of Urban Parks: A Cross-cultural Study Between Chengdu (China) and Perth (Australia)","authors":"M. Swapan, Md. Sayed Iftekhar, Xiyuan Li","doi":"10.1177/09754253221120616","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09754253221120616","url":null,"abstract":"Urban parks are an essential component of city infrastructure providing multiple ecosystem services. While there are many studies exploring the usage of urban parks within a country, cross-country comparisons are rare. Comparative studies of use–diversity of urban parks between developing and developed countries are almost absent. To address this research gap, we have compared use–diversity of two major urban parks in China (Dufu Cottage in Chengdu—DC) and in Australia (Kings Park in Perth—KP). Using a post-occupancy survey questionnaire, we addressed two key questions: (a) is there any difference in use–diversity between these urban parks? And (b) which demographic and socio-economic factors influence use pattern of urban parks the most? We observed that, in general, use frequency is lower in DC when compared to KP. In both parks, the opportunity of physical activity is the most important motive for visitation. Most of the usage is concentrated during the weekends in DC; KP was used more consistently throughout the week. Various socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, income level and frequency of visits, have some influence on frequency and diversity of usage. The impact of socio-demographic factors on the extent of use highlights the importance of understanding users’ profiles to adopt more targeted measures to address local demands. The study identified some common patterns and differences in use–diversity between the two parks, underscoring the potential for managers of these parks in both countries, for mutual learning and adopting best management practices.","PeriodicalId":44690,"journal":{"name":"Environment and Urbanization ASIA","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48551461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-01DOI: 10.1177/09754253221120606
M. Gunathilaka, D. Halwatura, L. Manawadu, D. Munasinghe
Urban lakes play an important role ecologically and socio-economically but are at great risk due to anthropogenic pressures. The study aimed to analyse the effects of land use and land cover change-induced lake ecosystem degradation in three urban lakes in Sri Lanka using a multi-faceted approach including: (a) satellite remote sensing, (b) geographic information system analysis and (c) a causal framework. A holistic cause–effect human–environment interaction framework (DAPSI(W)R(M)) was applied for the first time in Sri Lanka to identify measures to protect urban lake ecosystems sustainably. Results show that there was significant urban expansion during the study period with the Thalangama Lake being the most impacted regardless of its environmental protected status. Short-term mitigatory measures were proposed to reduce lake degradation, which include control of invasive species, treatment of polluted water, nutrient load monitoring and riparian buffer expansion. Sustainable city planning through the application of site-specific control measures on different scales is envisioned as a long-term solution.
{"title":"Application of Satellite Remote Sensing and DAPSI(W)R(M) Framework as a Tool to Assess Land Use Impacts on Urban Lakes in Sri Lanka","authors":"M. Gunathilaka, D. Halwatura, L. Manawadu, D. Munasinghe","doi":"10.1177/09754253221120606","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09754253221120606","url":null,"abstract":"Urban lakes play an important role ecologically and socio-economically but are at great risk due to anthropogenic pressures. The study aimed to analyse the effects of land use and land cover change-induced lake ecosystem degradation in three urban lakes in Sri Lanka using a multi-faceted approach including: (a) satellite remote sensing, (b) geographic information system analysis and (c) a causal framework. A holistic cause–effect human–environment interaction framework (DAPSI(W)R(M)) was applied for the first time in Sri Lanka to identify measures to protect urban lake ecosystems sustainably. Results show that there was significant urban expansion during the study period with the Thalangama Lake being the most impacted regardless of its environmental protected status. Short-term mitigatory measures were proposed to reduce lake degradation, which include control of invasive species, treatment of polluted water, nutrient load monitoring and riparian buffer expansion. Sustainable city planning through the application of site-specific control measures on different scales is envisioned as a long-term solution.","PeriodicalId":44690,"journal":{"name":"Environment and Urbanization ASIA","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42931138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-01DOI: 10.1177/09754253221130405
P. Tiwari, J. Shukla
Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of disasters. Low-income households living in low- and middle-income countries are most vulnerable to the effects of disasters. While efforts have increased for better disaster management since the adoption of the Sendai framework adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Japan in 2015 by 187 countries, the success rate of post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation has been debatable for disaster affected persons. The purpose of this article (which is the first part of our research on approach to post disaster reconstruction) is to propose a framework based on capability approach to understand the determinants of well-being that need to be restored for disaster affected persons. The second part will present results from application of this framework to examine the post-disaster reconstruction of affected persons in Chennai (India). Resettlement is a complex issue, and it requires a balance between protecting lives and livelihoods of those affected, as these are tied to a location, and protecting them from future disasters, the occurrence of which is also tied to a location. The article argues that a capabilities-based approach that aligns with sustainable development goals could provide a framework to identify components of a post-disaster management plan to satisfactorily rebuild the well-being of affected persons.
{"title":"Post-Disaster Reconstruction, Well-being and Sustainable Development Goals: A Conceptual Framework","authors":"P. Tiwari, J. Shukla","doi":"10.1177/09754253221130405","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09754253221130405","url":null,"abstract":"Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of disasters. Low-income households living in low- and middle-income countries are most vulnerable to the effects of disasters. While efforts have increased for better disaster management since the adoption of the Sendai framework adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Japan in 2015 by 187 countries, the success rate of post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation has been debatable for disaster affected persons. The purpose of this article (which is the first part of our research on approach to post disaster reconstruction) is to propose a framework based on capability approach to understand the determinants of well-being that need to be restored for disaster affected persons. The second part will present results from application of this framework to examine the post-disaster reconstruction of affected persons in Chennai (India). Resettlement is a complex issue, and it requires a balance between protecting lives and livelihoods of those affected, as these are tied to a location, and protecting them from future disasters, the occurrence of which is also tied to a location. The article argues that a capabilities-based approach that aligns with sustainable development goals could provide a framework to identify components of a post-disaster management plan to satisfactorily rebuild the well-being of affected persons.","PeriodicalId":44690,"journal":{"name":"Environment and Urbanization ASIA","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45707982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-01DOI: 10.1177/09754253221120877
Mukta Naik
Rajesh Bhattacharya and Annapurna Shaw, Eds. Urban Housing, Livelihoods and Environmental Challenges in Emerging Economies (New Delhi: Orient BlackSwan), 2021, ISBN 9789354422331 (pb).
{"title":"Book review: Rajesh Bhattacharya and Annapurna Shaw, Eds. Urban Housing, Livelihoods and Environmental Challenges in Emerging Economies","authors":"Mukta Naik","doi":"10.1177/09754253221120877","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09754253221120877","url":null,"abstract":"Rajesh Bhattacharya and Annapurna Shaw, Eds. Urban Housing, Livelihoods and Environmental Challenges in Emerging Economies (New Delhi: Orient BlackSwan), 2021, ISBN 9789354422331 (pb).","PeriodicalId":44690,"journal":{"name":"Environment and Urbanization ASIA","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48182842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-01DOI: 10.1177/09754253221121222
A. K. Roy, Ajith Kaliyath, Debjani Ghosh
This article explores the urban planning curriculum of the three selected planning schools in India. They are the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi; Department of City and Regional Planning, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur; and the Faculty of Planning, CEPT University, Ahmedabad. It uses content analysis to understand the deepening of research, skill formation and the possible change in pedagogy due to growing concerns about climate change (CC) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the urban area. The concerned programme coordinators and heads of the departments have also been consulted to find out the general approach to integrating CC and DRR knowledge into their planning curricula. An account of research outreach of faculty members, student dissertations and institutional publication in the CC and DRR has also been presented to illustrate research outreach with the community. It has been found that these schools need to deepen further their engagement with the domain of CC and DRR.
{"title":"Exploring Curriculum for the Integration of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change: The Case of Planning Schools in India","authors":"A. K. Roy, Ajith Kaliyath, Debjani Ghosh","doi":"10.1177/09754253221121222","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09754253221121222","url":null,"abstract":"This article explores the urban planning curriculum of the three selected planning schools in India. They are the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi; Department of City and Regional Planning, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur; and the Faculty of Planning, CEPT University, Ahmedabad. It uses content analysis to understand the deepening of research, skill formation and the possible change in pedagogy due to growing concerns about climate change (CC) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the urban area. The concerned programme coordinators and heads of the departments have also been consulted to find out the general approach to integrating CC and DRR knowledge into their planning curricula. An account of research outreach of faculty members, student dissertations and institutional publication in the CC and DRR has also been presented to illustrate research outreach with the community. It has been found that these schools need to deepen further their engagement with the domain of CC and DRR.","PeriodicalId":44690,"journal":{"name":"Environment and Urbanization ASIA","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43902523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-01DOI: 10.1177/09754253221126769
S. Dey, Tanzila Sultana, Mowshumi Sharmin
This study investigates how CO2 emissions behave with the increase or decrease in urbanization and energy consumption, employing pooled ordinary least square (OLS) estimator on a panel of 137 countries from 1961–2019. The findings indicate that there is asymmetry between the process of urbanization, energy consumption and CO2 emissions. From a global perspective, the asymmetry of urbanization on CO2 emissions is more prominent than energy consumption, although CO2 emissions are more responsive towards energy consumption in symmetric cases. For low-income economies, urbanization does not exhibit any significant impact on carbon emission, but energy consumption does. For lower-middle income economies, a lower level of urbanization has a greater impact on CO2 emission than an increase in urbanization, but carbon emissions are more reactive towards energy consumption. Moreover, both urbanization and energy consumption posit a significant impact on carbon emission for upper-middle income economies. Therefore, environment-friendly urbanization and efficient energy consumption should be prioritized to offset the negative externalities.
{"title":"Modelling the Asymmetric Relationship Between Urbanization, Energy Consumption and CO2 Emissions: A Study of Income Classified Economies","authors":"S. Dey, Tanzila Sultana, Mowshumi Sharmin","doi":"10.1177/09754253221126769","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09754253221126769","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates how CO2 emissions behave with the increase or decrease in urbanization and energy consumption, employing pooled ordinary least square (OLS) estimator on a panel of 137 countries from 1961–2019. The findings indicate that there is asymmetry between the process of urbanization, energy consumption and CO2 emissions. From a global perspective, the asymmetry of urbanization on CO2 emissions is more prominent than energy consumption, although CO2 emissions are more responsive towards energy consumption in symmetric cases. For low-income economies, urbanization does not exhibit any significant impact on carbon emission, but energy consumption does. For lower-middle income economies, a lower level of urbanization has a greater impact on CO2 emission than an increase in urbanization, but carbon emissions are more reactive towards energy consumption. Moreover, both urbanization and energy consumption posit a significant impact on carbon emission for upper-middle income economies. Therefore, environment-friendly urbanization and efficient energy consumption should be prioritized to offset the negative externalities.","PeriodicalId":44690,"journal":{"name":"Environment and Urbanization ASIA","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43162267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-01DOI: 10.1177/09754253221125875
Meenal Jain, Meenakshi Mital, M. Syal
India is a developing nation with urban populations growing exponentially and rural villages being electrified. Thus, India is expected to have a high growth rate in energy demand over the coming years for which the nation is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Solar energy presents an attractive solution to growing energy challenges as it is abundant, inexhaustible and environment friendly. Many programmes and policies have been initiated at both the national and state level for promoting solar energy across all sectors. This article comprehensively assesses various government initiatives for off-grid solar photovoltaic (SPV)/solar water heating (SWH) systems for commercial establishments and brings forth the government perspective in terms of implementation of these initiatives, need for improvements and the lacunas in availing the incentives. The article also presents suggestions given by government officials for better acceptance and implementation of such initiatives.
{"title":"Solar Energy Policies for Commercial Buildings in India: Perspective of Government Officials","authors":"Meenal Jain, Meenakshi Mital, M. Syal","doi":"10.1177/09754253221125875","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09754253221125875","url":null,"abstract":"India is a developing nation with urban populations growing exponentially and rural villages being electrified. Thus, India is expected to have a high growth rate in energy demand over the coming years for which the nation is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Solar energy presents an attractive solution to growing energy challenges as it is abundant, inexhaustible and environment friendly. Many programmes and policies have been initiated at both the national and state level for promoting solar energy across all sectors. This article comprehensively assesses various government initiatives for off-grid solar photovoltaic (SPV)/solar water heating (SWH) systems for commercial establishments and brings forth the government perspective in terms of implementation of these initiatives, need for improvements and the lacunas in availing the incentives. The article also presents suggestions given by government officials for better acceptance and implementation of such initiatives.","PeriodicalId":44690,"journal":{"name":"Environment and Urbanization ASIA","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43983007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-01DOI: 10.1177/09754253221122743
J. M. V. Juanga, M. D. Reyes
This study sought to assess the visual quality of dual thoroughfare streetscapes in Davao City, specifically identifying existing visual components in terms of landscape layer, landform, vegetation, light and colour, compatibility, archetypal elements and its character of peace and silence. Davao City had a consistent score in its streetscapes, garnering not the highest but a relatively high score. The results showed that the presence of landscape layers, light and colour, vegetation, and character of peace and silence seem to be the most critical visual components in its overall contemplative score. Of the city’s streets, the highest visual quality score was Roxas Avenue with a mean of 4.44. The lowest was the Manambulan-Tagakpan Road with a mean of 4.07. Based on the overall ranking system in the contemplative score Davao City obtained a relatively high rank. The presence of vegetation, particularly the young to fully grown trees, also produces more shade which provides thermal comfort and a cooler experience in the streetscape. The association between the individual visual landscape component scores against the overall visual quality resulted in a landscape layer of 0.825 and vegetation of 0.824, which showed a significant correlation. The significant findings among the components is the indication of landforms which greatly contributed to the total score.
{"title":"Introspective Visual Quality Assessment of Dual Thoroughfare Streetscapes in Davao City","authors":"J. M. V. Juanga, M. D. Reyes","doi":"10.1177/09754253221122743","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09754253221122743","url":null,"abstract":"This study sought to assess the visual quality of dual thoroughfare streetscapes in Davao City, specifically identifying existing visual components in terms of landscape layer, landform, vegetation, light and colour, compatibility, archetypal elements and its character of peace and silence. Davao City had a consistent score in its streetscapes, garnering not the highest but a relatively high score. The results showed that the presence of landscape layers, light and colour, vegetation, and character of peace and silence seem to be the most critical visual components in its overall contemplative score. Of the city’s streets, the highest visual quality score was Roxas Avenue with a mean of 4.44. The lowest was the Manambulan-Tagakpan Road with a mean of 4.07. Based on the overall ranking system in the contemplative score Davao City obtained a relatively high rank. The presence of vegetation, particularly the young to fully grown trees, also produces more shade which provides thermal comfort and a cooler experience in the streetscape. The association between the individual visual landscape component scores against the overall visual quality resulted in a landscape layer of 0.825 and vegetation of 0.824, which showed a significant correlation. The significant findings among the components is the indication of landforms which greatly contributed to the total score.","PeriodicalId":44690,"journal":{"name":"Environment and Urbanization ASIA","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46532899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Khulna City Corporation (KCC) has undergone rapid urban development and expansion in recent times. These changes, including the change in land surface temperature (LST) throughout the area, have significant long-term effects. This research analysed the effects of land cover changes on KCC’s LST. By using the maximum likelihood classification method, Landsat imagery investigation identified the land cover chart and determined the LST for the years 1999, 2009 and 2019. It was modelled for the simulation of land cover for the year 2029 by using the classification results and applying the multi-layer perceptron Markov (MLPM) models together. It then also modelled the LST for the year 2029 by using three thematic indices and multiple regression analysis. As a result, the KCC urban area grew by 49% between 1999 and 2019. Simulation results have shown that the KCC could possibly experience a temperature range of more than or equal to 26°C in 2029 if the recent pattern persists. For KCC, the average LST for the urban area is projected to be 27°C in 2029. The scenario shown in this article will assist urban planners in quantifying the impact of various LST change-related issues and, thus, in preparing proper strategic measures.
{"title":"Predicting Potential Change in Land Cover and Its Effect on the Temperature of the Land Surface: A Case Study of Khulna City Corporation, Bangladesh","authors":"Md. Sohel Rana, Subrota Sarkar, Md. Nazmus Sadat, T. Tabassum, Ashraf Uddin Fahim","doi":"10.1177/09754253221120876","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09754253221120876","url":null,"abstract":"Khulna City Corporation (KCC) has undergone rapid urban development and expansion in recent times. These changes, including the change in land surface temperature (LST) throughout the area, have significant long-term effects. This research analysed the effects of land cover changes on KCC’s LST. By using the maximum likelihood classification method, Landsat imagery investigation identified the land cover chart and determined the LST for the years 1999, 2009 and 2019. It was modelled for the simulation of land cover for the year 2029 by using the classification results and applying the multi-layer perceptron Markov (MLPM) models together. It then also modelled the LST for the year 2029 by using three thematic indices and multiple regression analysis. As a result, the KCC urban area grew by 49% between 1999 and 2019. Simulation results have shown that the KCC could possibly experience a temperature range of more than or equal to 26°C in 2029 if the recent pattern persists. For KCC, the average LST for the urban area is projected to be 27°C in 2029. The scenario shown in this article will assist urban planners in quantifying the impact of various LST change-related issues and, thus, in preparing proper strategic measures.","PeriodicalId":44690,"journal":{"name":"Environment and Urbanization ASIA","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47203149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-09-01DOI: 10.1177/09754253221122752
Arvaan Kumar, Sriroop Chaudhuri
In Delhi, the capital city of India, air pollution has been a perpetual menace to urban sustainability and public health. The present study uses a mixed-method approach to enumerate to the urban authorities: (a) the state of air pollution in the city; (b) systemic flaws in the current monitoring network; (c) potential means to bolster it; and (d) need of a participatory framework for monitoring. Information about Air Quality Index (AQI), obtained from 36 monitoring stations across Delhi is compared between 2021 (20 April–25 May; 2nd year/phase of SARS-CoV-2 lockdown), and the corresponding time periods in 2020 (1st year/phase of lockdown), and 2019 (business-as-usual) using the Mann–Whitney U Test. AQI during the 2021 lockdown (a) appeared statistically more similar (p < .01) to that of 2019 and (b) exceeded the environmental health safety benchmark for 85% days during the study period (20 April–25 May). However, this only presented a partial glimpse into the air pollution status. It owes to numerous ‘holes’ in the AQI data record (no data and/or insufficient data). Moreover, certain areas in Delhi yet have no monitoring station, or only too few, to yield a ‘representative’ estimate (inadequate spatial coverage). Such shortcomings in the existing monitoring network may deter future research and targeted/informed decision-making for pollution control. To that end, the present research offers a summary view of Low-Cost Air Quality Sensors (LCAQS), to offer the urban sustainability authorities, ‘complementary’ technique to bolster and diversify the existing network. The main advantages and disadvantages of various LCAQS sensor technologies are highlighted while emphasizing on the challenges around various calibration techniques (linear and non-linear). The final section reflects on the integration of science and technology with social dimensions of air quality monitoring and highlights key requirements for (a) community mobilization and (b) stakeholder engagement to forge a participatory systems’ design for LCAQS deployment.
{"title":"Improving Urban Air Quality Monitoring in Delhi, India: Reflections on Low-Cost Air Quality Sensors (LCAQS) and Participatory Engagement","authors":"Arvaan Kumar, Sriroop Chaudhuri","doi":"10.1177/09754253221122752","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09754253221122752","url":null,"abstract":"In Delhi, the capital city of India, air pollution has been a perpetual menace to urban sustainability and public health. The present study uses a mixed-method approach to enumerate to the urban authorities: (a) the state of air pollution in the city; (b) systemic flaws in the current monitoring network; (c) potential means to bolster it; and (d) need of a participatory framework for monitoring. Information about Air Quality Index (AQI), obtained from 36 monitoring stations across Delhi is compared between 2021 (20 April–25 May; 2nd year/phase of SARS-CoV-2 lockdown), and the corresponding time periods in 2020 (1st year/phase of lockdown), and 2019 (business-as-usual) using the Mann–Whitney U Test. AQI during the 2021 lockdown (a) appeared statistically more similar (p < .01) to that of 2019 and (b) exceeded the environmental health safety benchmark for 85% days during the study period (20 April–25 May). However, this only presented a partial glimpse into the air pollution status. It owes to numerous ‘holes’ in the AQI data record (no data and/or insufficient data). Moreover, certain areas in Delhi yet have no monitoring station, or only too few, to yield a ‘representative’ estimate (inadequate spatial coverage). Such shortcomings in the existing monitoring network may deter future research and targeted/informed decision-making for pollution control. To that end, the present research offers a summary view of Low-Cost Air Quality Sensors (LCAQS), to offer the urban sustainability authorities, ‘complementary’ technique to bolster and diversify the existing network. The main advantages and disadvantages of various LCAQS sensor technologies are highlighted while emphasizing on the challenges around various calibration techniques (linear and non-linear). The final section reflects on the integration of science and technology with social dimensions of air quality monitoring and highlights key requirements for (a) community mobilization and (b) stakeholder engagement to forge a participatory systems’ design for LCAQS deployment.","PeriodicalId":44690,"journal":{"name":"Environment and Urbanization ASIA","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48754040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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