A comparative study of air pollution levels in different urban street configurations in Pangyo New Town, South Korea

Abstract

Despite the expanding recognition of the impact of urban design on the well-being of citizens in planned communities, air quality concerns are frequently neglected in the development of new towns. This study aimed to address this gap in the literature by conducting comparative field assessments of different street structures in South Korea's new towns, measuring the concentrations of ultrafine particles (UFP), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and black carbon (BC) in street canyons with varying aspect ratios (ARs) and road configurations. During a six-day period in October, measurements were taken both before and after business hours in pedestrian zones with ARs of 2.5 and 10, as well as vehicle zones with open and loop roads. The findings revealed that the concentrations of UFP, PM2.5, and BC were consistently higher in a deeper canyon (AR 10) than in a shallower canyon (AR 2.5) in the pedestrian zone throughout the day, with the difference being most pronounced during periods of heightened commercial activity. Additionally, vehicle zones with loop roads had higher levels of air pollution, particularly in terms of UFP and PM2.5 concentrations, compared to open roads, regardless of vehicle traffic volume. The study highlights the importance of evaluating the influence of street configuration on air circulation, regulating emissions from direct sources, and adopting a comprehensive approach to urban planning to improve air quality and safeguard public health in densely populated areas.