Effects of Urban Compactness and Complexity on PM2.5 Concentration: The Case Study of Tehran Metropolis
摘要
Urban morphology and socio-economic components are factors affecting the concentration of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5). Various research has been conducted worldwide on the relationship between urban form and PM2.5 pollution. However, different results have been obtained even with the same case studies. The reasons for this inconsistency can be attributed to the research scope, lack of attention to building height, density of trees, and resolution of satellite images. This article aims to explain the relationship between urban form and PM2.5 concentration in terms of the Urban Compactness Index (UCI) and Urban Shape Complexity (USC). The Satellite images and the Local Climate Zone method are used to extract the land uses of the Tehran metropolis and PM2.5 pollutants. Subsequently, the spatial composition of extracted classes is investigated around 30 air quality control stations. Finally, the correlation between UCI and USC with PM2.5 pollutant at the two levels of class and landscape are determined using the Panel Data Model. The results of this research showed a positive correlation between UCI of anthropogenic classes and PM2.5 pollution. However, the relationship between the USC of buildings and PM2.5 pollution was negative. On the other hand, the USC of industrial class had a direct relationship with PM2.5 pollutants. In the case of natural lands, the UCI and USC of green classes with trees had a negative relationship with PM2.5 concentration. However, bare class had a more intense effect on PM2.5 concentrations in terms of UCI. In terms of landscape, a lower UCI with high USC had a positive effect on reducing PM2.5 concentration. According to these results, increasing urban complexity, proximity of compatible land uses to each other, increasing green cover with dense trees and reducing urban compactness and controlling the height of buildings can be considered acceptable measures to achieve a sustainable urban form and reduce PM2.5 concentration.