Integrated Strategies for Air Quality and Thermal Comfort Improvement: The Case Study of the University Campus of Catania
Urban campuses face critical environmental challenges due to high pedestrian density, traffic-induced air pollution, and thermal stress, especially in compact Mediterranean settings. These conditions can compromise the usability and livability of outdoor spaces. This study investigates whether green...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Salvatore Leonardi Maurizio Detommaso Nilda Georgina Liotta Natalia Distefano Francesco Nocera Vincenzo Costanzo |
| author_facet | Salvatore Leonardi Maurizio Detommaso Nilda Georgina Liotta Natalia Distefano Francesco Nocera Vincenzo Costanzo |
| author_sort | Salvatore Leonardi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Urban campuses face critical environmental challenges due to high pedestrian density, traffic-induced air pollution, and thermal stress, especially in compact Mediterranean settings. These conditions can compromise the usability and livability of outdoor spaces. This study investigates whether greening and material-based interventions can offset a lower degree of traffic reduction in improving air quality and thermal comfort. The University Campus of Catania (Southern Italy) served as the case study. An integrated microscale simulation framework using ENVI-met was developed, calibrated, and validated with local traffic, meteorological data, and field measurements of PM<sub>10</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub>. Three scenarios were tested: a baseline, Scenario 1 (50% traffic reduction with moderate greening), and Scenario 2 (30% traffic reduction with more extensive greening and material interventions). Results showed that Scenario 1 consistently outperformed Scenario 2 in all pedestrian hotspots. The highest reductions recorded in Scenario 1 were −0.150 μg/m<sup>3</sup> for PM<sub>2.5</sub> (−11.5%), −0.069 μg/m<sup>3</sup> for PM<sub>10</sub> (−5.9%), −2.16 °C for UTCI (−7.6%), and −2.52 °C for MRT (−4.5%). These findings confirm that traffic reduction is the dominant factor in achieving environmental improvements, although greening and innovative materials play a valuable complementary role. The study supports integrated planning strategies for climate-responsive and healthier university environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2cef2f11525c42a58c9d551dcacd129d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-2cef2f11525c42a58c9d551dcacd129d2025-08-20T03:47:48ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-011510566110.3390/app15105661Integrated Strategies for Air Quality and Thermal Comfort Improvement: The Case Study of the University Campus of CataniaSalvatore Leonardi0Maurizio Detommaso1Nilda Georgina Liotta2Natalia Distefano3Francesco Nocera4Vincenzo Costanzo5Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Electrical Electronic and Computer Engineering (DIEEI), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Electrical Electronic and Computer Engineering (DIEEI), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyUrban campuses face critical environmental challenges due to high pedestrian density, traffic-induced air pollution, and thermal stress, especially in compact Mediterranean settings. These conditions can compromise the usability and livability of outdoor spaces. This study investigates whether greening and material-based interventions can offset a lower degree of traffic reduction in improving air quality and thermal comfort. The University Campus of Catania (Southern Italy) served as the case study. An integrated microscale simulation framework using ENVI-met was developed, calibrated, and validated with local traffic, meteorological data, and field measurements of PM<sub>10</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub>. Three scenarios were tested: a baseline, Scenario 1 (50% traffic reduction with moderate greening), and Scenario 2 (30% traffic reduction with more extensive greening and material interventions). Results showed that Scenario 1 consistently outperformed Scenario 2 in all pedestrian hotspots. The highest reductions recorded in Scenario 1 were −0.150 μg/m<sup>3</sup> for PM<sub>2.5</sub> (−11.5%), −0.069 μg/m<sup>3</sup> for PM<sub>10</sub> (−5.9%), −2.16 °C for UTCI (−7.6%), and −2.52 °C for MRT (−4.5%). These findings confirm that traffic reduction is the dominant factor in achieving environmental improvements, although greening and innovative materials play a valuable complementary role. The study supports integrated planning strategies for climate-responsive and healthier university environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/10/5661urban microclimateENVI-mettraffic reductiongreen infrastructureair qualityoutdoor thermal comfort |
| spellingShingle | Salvatore Leonardi Maurizio Detommaso Nilda Georgina Liotta Natalia Distefano Francesco Nocera Vincenzo Costanzo Integrated Strategies for Air Quality and Thermal Comfort Improvement: The Case Study of the University Campus of Catania Applied Sciences urban microclimate ENVI-met traffic reduction green infrastructure air quality outdoor thermal comfort |
| title | Integrated Strategies for Air Quality and Thermal Comfort Improvement: The Case Study of the University Campus of Catania |
| title_full | Integrated Strategies for Air Quality and Thermal Comfort Improvement: The Case Study of the University Campus of Catania |
| title_fullStr | Integrated Strategies for Air Quality and Thermal Comfort Improvement: The Case Study of the University Campus of Catania |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrated Strategies for Air Quality and Thermal Comfort Improvement: The Case Study of the University Campus of Catania |
| title_short | Integrated Strategies for Air Quality and Thermal Comfort Improvement: The Case Study of the University Campus of Catania |
| title_sort | integrated strategies for air quality and thermal comfort improvement the case study of the university campus of catania |
| topic | urban microclimate ENVI-met traffic reduction green infrastructure air quality outdoor thermal comfort |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/10/5661 |
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