Knowing which are user's preferences regarding acoustic and air quality environments is a big advantage for public spaces management.
Inspired by this socio-ecological framework, four groups of barriers have been identifıed: natural environment (e.g. weather, topography and air quality), social environment (e.g. interpersonal relations and social climate), physical environment (e.g. facilities and surroundings) and organizational environment (e.g. policy and rules).
Urban green infrastructure (mainly trees, green walls and roofs) was found to contribute, both positively and negatively, to the indoor environment via the influence on the climate, energy use, air quality, sonic environment and aesthetic quality.
Other significant factors include air quality, acoustic environment, functionality, and convenience.
One of these is the "indoor environmental input parameters for design and assessment of energy performance of buildings-addressing indoor air quality, thermal environment, lighting and acoustics".
For more air quality and environment news, follow me @tonybarboza.
For more on California's air quality and environment, follow me @tonybarboza.
When it comes to air quality, the Environment America report estimates that drilling and fracking natural gas wells in the U.S. created 450,000 tons of air pollution in 2012.
As has been advocated many times before, interventions to reduce levels of particulate pollution require a concerted action by a host of sectors with a vested interest in air quality management (environment, transport, energy, health, housing) at regional, national and international levels.
