Abstract
Small-scale greenspaces in high-density central urban districts serve as important outdoor activity spaces for the surrounding residents, especially the elderly. This study selects six small-scale, popular greenspaces with distinct characteristics that are jointly situated along the same main urban artery in a high-density central urban district. Field investigations and questionnaires are conducted and combined with statistical analyses, to explore the spatial-temporal distribution and influencing factors of PM2.5 concentrations in these greenspaces. The study finds that the air quality conditions in the sites are non-ideal, and this has potential negative impacts on the health of the elderly visitors. Moreover, the difference values of PM2.5 concentrations’ spatial-temporal distributions are significantly affected by vehicle-related emissions, which have significant temporal characteristics. PM2.5 concentration is strongly correlated with percentage of green coverage (R = 0.82, p < 0.05), degree of airflow (R = −0.83, p < 0.05), humidity and comfort level (R = 0.54, p < 0.01 and R = −0.40, p < 0.01 respectively). Meanwhile, the sites’ “sky view factor” is strongly correlated with degree of airflow (R = 0.82, p < 0.05), and the comfort level plays an indirect role in the process of PM2.5 affecting crowd activities. Based on this analysis, an optimal set of index ranges for greenspace elements which are correlated with the best reduction in PM2.5 concentrations is derived. As such, this research reveals the technical methods to best reduce their concentrations and provides a basis and reference for improving the quality of small-scale greenspaces in high-density urban districts for the benefit of healthy aging.
Highlights
Rapid urbanization tends to lead to excessive levels of suspended particulate matter (PMs) in the urban ambient air, along with frequent smog and haze
This study explores the relationships between exposure to urban greenspaces and air pollution on the physical and mental health of the elderly, and thereby hopes to help promote healthy aging and better understanding of how to create the most suitable landscapes for the elderly, while providing reference for the optimizing of greenspace elements
This research focuses on the greenspaces dispersed across high-density central urban districts to explore the spatial-temporal distribution of PM2.5 and the corresponding influencing factors
Summary
Rapid urbanization tends to lead to excessive levels of suspended particulate matter (PMs) in the urban ambient air, along with frequent smog and haze. They provide residents with spaces for outdoor activities, which is closely associated with general health and well-being [6,7] They play beneficial roles in improving urban air quality, alleviating urban heat islands and several other health and environmental aspects [8,9,10,11]. As the greenspaces in central urban districts tend to border urban arteries and thoroughfares, and the number of motor vehicles in China grows rapidly, the potential beneficial effects of these spaces may be diminished. Against this backdrop, it has been noted that the harm caused by exposure
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