Environmental risk assessment based on the allergenicity of urban green infrastructure: Case study of an urban park

Abstract

It is essential to study the air quality of modern urban areas to improve the tolerance to health issues related to allergenicity in cities. The objective of this study was to develop a methodology for representing allergenicity by applying the Urban Green Zone Allergenicity Index (IUGZA) to urban environments and producing 3D maps. This study is based on an inventory of green infrastructure with information obtained through fieldwork and from accurate images of the actual conditions such as orthophotos and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) clouds of points, which were used in the production of 3D maps. The inventory data were stored and georeferenced in a Geographic Information System (GIS) model, which was also used to extract geometrical information for the IUGZA index calculation. The allergenicity results from the index application are represented in the GIS model and exported to the Google Earth map system. The developed methodology was applied to a park (25 ha of surface) on the right margin of the Guadiana River in Badajoz (Spain). An IUGZA value of 0.093 was obtained for the inventory index calculation and 0.063 for the calculation method developed using GIS. Furthermore, two reduction-of-exposure simulations were performed to recalculate the IUGZA values, and successful results were obtained. The results showed that the proposed methodology provides an effective technique of representing potential allergenicity in 3D maps as an eco-design to reduce exposure to urban green infrastructure and to build a healthier environment in construction engineering.