How do built environments measured at two scales influence PM2.5 concentrations?

초록

This study aimed to investigate the effects of built environments measured in inter-city and intra-city on PM2.5 concentrations in South Korean cities using a hierarchical linear regression (HLR) model. Results showed that a higher population density was associated with lower PM2.5 con-centrations in the inter-city. In the intra-city, higher road density and the presence of more emission facilities were associated with higher PM2.5 concentrations, while the existence of larger green areas was associated with lower PM2.5 concentrations. This study also suggests that when intra-city physical environments are not controlled for, the effects of inter-city built environments on PM2.5 concentrations might be overestimated. We recommend that urban planners and decision-makers establish compact development strategies for inter-city with a high population density. For intra-city, land use plans and urban design strategies should be established to avoid neighboring emission sources and increase green areas.

키워드