Air Quality Awareness—Empirical Evidence from a Comparative Perspective between Two European Cities

This research, conducted as part of the European project PA-MAP (Participatory Approach to Monitoring Air Quality in Urban Environments), investigates citizens’ perceptions of air pollution in two European cities: Turin (Italy) and Dublin (Ireland). We systematically collected social data through se...

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Main Authors: Ornella Salimbene, María Teresa Baeza-Romero, Francesco Pilla, Gregor Čok
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Urban Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/8/3/133
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author Ornella Salimbene
María Teresa Baeza-Romero
Francesco Pilla
Gregor Čok
author_facet Ornella Salimbene
María Teresa Baeza-Romero
Francesco Pilla
Gregor Čok
author_sort Ornella Salimbene
collection DOAJ
description This research, conducted as part of the European project PA-MAP (Participatory Approach to Monitoring Air Quality in Urban Environments), investigates citizens’ perceptions of air pollution in two European cities: Turin (Italy) and Dublin (Ireland). We systematically collected social data through semi-structured surveys distributed via online platforms. Our aim was to gather comprehensive information on the perception of pollution sources and the effectiveness of control systems. We examined citizens’ habits and their suggestions to improve air quality. The results revealed the following: (1) In Turin, the perception of air pollution significantly influences individuals’ self-assessments of health. Consequently, increased vigilance is required to mitigate environmental health risks and to disseminate information on air quality and effective practices for reducing air pollution. (2) The use of sustainable transportation in Turin is hindered due to the inadequate maintenance of cycling infrastructure. Citizens prefer to use cars or trains, which facilitate rapid travel. (3) In Dublin, greater sensitivity to the problem of air pollution has emerged, and the use of sustainable means of transport is facilitated via ad hoc infrastructure. These results provide empirical evidence to policymakers to support the promotion of concrete local actions through which to improve air quality.
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spelling doaj-art-36211303dc8b492891e9fafa91dd71912025-08-20T01:55:57ZengMDPI AGUrban Science2413-88512024-09-018313310.3390/urbansci8030133Air Quality Awareness—Empirical Evidence from a Comparative Perspective between Two European CitiesOrnella Salimbene0María Teresa Baeza-Romero1Francesco Pilla2Gregor Čok3Chair of Spatial Planning, Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubliana, Jamova Cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaDepartment of Physical Chemistry, School of Industrial and Aerospace Engineering, Institute of Nanoscience, Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, SpainSchool of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, UCD, D04 V1W8 Dublin, IrelandChair of Spatial Planning, Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubliana, Jamova Cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaThis research, conducted as part of the European project PA-MAP (Participatory Approach to Monitoring Air Quality in Urban Environments), investigates citizens’ perceptions of air pollution in two European cities: Turin (Italy) and Dublin (Ireland). We systematically collected social data through semi-structured surveys distributed via online platforms. Our aim was to gather comprehensive information on the perception of pollution sources and the effectiveness of control systems. We examined citizens’ habits and their suggestions to improve air quality. The results revealed the following: (1) In Turin, the perception of air pollution significantly influences individuals’ self-assessments of health. Consequently, increased vigilance is required to mitigate environmental health risks and to disseminate information on air quality and effective practices for reducing air pollution. (2) The use of sustainable transportation in Turin is hindered due to the inadequate maintenance of cycling infrastructure. Citizens prefer to use cars or trains, which facilitate rapid travel. (3) In Dublin, greater sensitivity to the problem of air pollution has emerged, and the use of sustainable means of transport is facilitated via ad hoc infrastructure. These results provide empirical evidence to policymakers to support the promotion of concrete local actions through which to improve air quality.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/8/3/133air qualitycitizen behaviorqualitative surveyEurope
spellingShingle Ornella Salimbene
María Teresa Baeza-Romero
Francesco Pilla
Gregor Čok
Air Quality Awareness—Empirical Evidence from a Comparative Perspective between Two European Cities
Urban Science
air quality
citizen behavior
qualitative survey
Europe
title Air Quality Awareness—Empirical Evidence from a Comparative Perspective between Two European Cities
title_full Air Quality Awareness—Empirical Evidence from a Comparative Perspective between Two European Cities
title_fullStr Air Quality Awareness—Empirical Evidence from a Comparative Perspective between Two European Cities
title_full_unstemmed Air Quality Awareness—Empirical Evidence from a Comparative Perspective between Two European Cities
title_short Air Quality Awareness—Empirical Evidence from a Comparative Perspective between Two European Cities
title_sort air quality awareness empirical evidence from a comparative perspective between two european cities
topic air quality
citizen behavior
qualitative survey
Europe
url https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/8/3/133
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AT mariateresabaezaromero airqualityawarenessempiricalevidencefromacomparativeperspectivebetweentwoeuropeancities
AT francescopilla airqualityawarenessempiricalevidencefromacomparativeperspectivebetweentwoeuropeancities
AT gregorcok airqualityawarenessempiricalevidencefromacomparativeperspectivebetweentwoeuropeancities