In:
Area, Wiley, Vol. 47, No. 4 ( 2015-12), p. 354-359
Abstract:
The O xford Transport Strategy ( OTS ) implemented in the O xford city centre in J une 1999 had an environmental impact associated with reduced car traffic and improved air quality, particularly of SO 2 and CO . The effect on reductions in atmospheric pollutants and improved air quality is examined in this paper. By examining records of change associated with specific traffic records and mean annual measures of pollutants, including NO 2 , NO X , SO 2 , CO , O 3 and PM 10 , it is possible to relate trends over 15 years (between 1997 and 2012) and evaluate the impacts on buildings. Specifically, this study reveals that soiling was reduced following the OTS and that building decay features stabilised. This occurred when there were reduced levels of traffic on some streets and improved air quality (at O xford Centre, High Street and generally at S t E bbes) in the O xford city centre. Reduced concentrations of all measured pollutants (except O 3 at the urban background site; with the least reductions in NO 2 and PM 10 and greatest reductions in NO X , SO 2 and CO ) indicate a cleaner urban atmosphere since the OTS . Since O 3 was the only traffic pollutant that slightly increased in the post‐ OTS atmosphere, its impact on building stone merits more research.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0004-0894
,
1475-4762
DOI:
10.1111/area.2015.47.issue-4
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2015
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2043486-8
SSG:
14
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