How clean is the air you breathe during urban walk? A case study of Central London

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Ravindra, N ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0040-9250, Al-Habaibeh, A ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9867-6011 and Medjdoub, B ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3402-4479, 2025. How clean is the air you breathe during urban walk? A case study of Central London. In: Martinac, I, Jørgensen, BN, Ma, ZG, Unnþórsson, R and Bordin, C, eds., First Nordic Energy Informatics Academy Conference (Nordic EIA 2025). Lecture Notes in Computer Science . Cham: Springer. (Forthcoming)

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Abstract

This paper presents a case study on air quality in Central London with a focus on particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). The relationship between road width, traf-fic patterns, and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations is explored in this study via a walking journey. GPS geographical analysis and portable air quality sensors are used to assess the air quality. The key results indicate that nar-rower roads with high buildings in general exhibit irregular PM spikes which could be explained by trapped emissions and busy traffic. Larger roads (≥20m in width) have presented a more stable air quality which can be explained by im-proved air circulation and consistent traffic flow. The results highlight the neces-sity for enhanced measures with specialized interventions such as the plantation of green walls and trees (green infrastructure) combined with improved traffic control. The results also indicate the importance of traffic management and the importance of policies and strategies such as London’s Urban Greening Factor (UGF), London Low Emission Zone (LEZ), Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), Congestion Charge Zone, and the support of electric transportation. The novel methodology and findings presented in this paper provide a strong foundation for a broader and more comprehensive future study.

Item Type:	Chapter in book
Description:	Paper presented at Nordic Energy Informatics Academy Conference, Stockholm, Sweden, 20-22 August 2025.
Creators:	Ravindra, N., Al-Habaibeh, A. and Medjdoub, B.
Publisher:	Springer
Place of Publication:	Cham
Date:	13 June 2025
Identifiers:	Number Type 2454188 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Record created by:	Laura Borcherds
Date Added:	17 Sep 2025 16:46
Last Modified:	17 Sep 2025 16:46
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/54359