Air Quality Management Zonation Using Spatial-Temporal Statistical Analysis, Dubai-Uae

A key aspect of a sustainable urban design is reducing expo-sure to air pollution by enhancing airflow and pollution dis-persal. Few research has been conducted to standardize the management of urban development procedures that account for air quality and human exposure to different gaseous pollutants. In this study, a time-space statistical hotspot analysis was carried out using high-resolution imagery of concentration for various air pollutants over the Emirate of Dubai. Spatial and temporal air quality patterns and their correlation with land-cover land-use (LCLU) were analyzed to map and quantify risks connected to air pollution and poor urban planning strategies. Afterward, using a Geographic Information System (GIS), a theoretical structure for urban management zones accounting for urban air circulation and less human exposure to air pollution was implemented, to identify areas with fewer ventilation processes. The methodology of this study can be implemented over different urban areas to identify poor air quality areas that require comprehensive investigation and to assist the development of urban planning strategies.