Impacts of population growth and land use on air quality. A case study of Tshwane, Rustenburg and Emalahleni, South Africa

Abstract

ABSTRACT Air quality is affected by the interaction between emission sources and urban planning factors such as land use. Limited empirical studies have been conducted to determine the influence of land use and population growth on air quality in South Africa. Thus, the purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between land use, population growth and air pollution focusing on black carbon (BC), carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) pollution in South Africa. Three urban areas; Tshwane, Rustenburg and Emalahleni in South Africa were chosen for this study. We found that the increase in population growth in these areas led directly to the expansion of built-up areas. As a consequence, these led to the increase in BC, CO and SO2 concentrations thus degrading air quality in these areas. Rural-urban migration could be the main reason for the rapid increase in population growth, land expansion and the deterioration in air quality in these areas. This study has shown that there is a close link between, land use, population growth and air quality.