Tecnalia presents a study evaluating the interactions between the urban morphology of Vitoria-Gasteiz and its air quality in Portugal

03/10/2022

The report, which is backed by the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project, classifies the climate zones of the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz in relation to their capacity to disperse pollutants, in order to develop more responsible urban planning.

Tecnalia research centre has taken a study on the interactions between urban morphology and air quality in Vitoria-Gasteiz to Portugal. The report, which is backed by the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project, is part of 'C.4.1: Natur-based solutions NBS and their co-benefits', which aims to design methodologies and tools to help select, design and implement the best nature-based solutions at municipal level.

Dr. Andrés Simón, researcher in Tecnalia's Energy, Climate and Urban Transition division has participated in the 21st International Conference on Harmonisation within Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling for Regulatory Purposes (HARMO21), which was held from 27th to 30th September in the Portuguese city of Aveiro. There, he had the opportunity to share the research and the results of the study carried out in the capital of Alava. The report highlights the interaction between the urban morphology (height, width of buildings, orientation, width of streets, existence of green spaces, recreational areas, etc.) and their capacity to concentrate or disperse air pollutants associated with various sources (traffic, industrial, residential, etc.).

To classify the city's zones, the researchers used the Local Climate Zones formula, and characterised the different neighbourhoods of Vitoria-Gasteiz, as well as their capacity to disperse pollutants, with the aim of prioritising policies to improve air quality, towards more responsible urban planning.