Analysis of the relationship between urban green space and air pollution with emphasis on urban ecology (Case study: Tehran)

Air pollution as one of the most important factors affecting the environment, especially in large cities has caused many problems for residents. On the other hand, green spaces as one of the emphasized elements in urban ecology, play an important role in reducing air pollution. Therefore, studying the type and intensity of the relationship between urban green space and air pollution can show the extent of the impact of urban greenery on pollutants.

Goal:

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between green space and changes in air pollutants by regions in the metropolis of Tehran with an emphasis on urban ecology.

This research is descriptive-analytical by nature and applied in terms of results and mixed (quantitative-qualitative) in terms of methodology. In this research, the method of interpolation functions in ArcMap 10.7 software and regression analysis in SPSS 21 software have been used. To integrate the current situation of the variables with regression relationship and determine the priority of action by regions, qualitative coding has been done at four levels from high to low.

Geographical area of research:

A case study of the research is the metropolis of Tehran.

The findings indicate that there is an inverse and significant relationship between green space and CO, SO2 and PM2.5 pollutants. With 95% confidence level, the impact of green space on CO, SO2 and PM2.5 pollutants based on Beta coefficient is -0.500, -0.508 and -0.452, respectively. The results of qualitative coding of the current situation of variables with regression relationship show that regions 9, 10, 18 and 21 due to the low level of green space and high concentrations of these pollutants, are in the first priority category to apply suggestions.

The results showed that the presence of green space does not affect the changes in the concentration of all air pollutants. It only affects CO, SO2 and PM2.5 in Tehran. Finally, despite the need for suggestions aimed at controlling air pollutants, the focus of this study is on green space-based suggestions to reduce air pollutants based on the priority of actions by regions. These suggestions are presented in the form of top-down and bottom-up approaches in two short-term and long-term periods.