Air Quality and Heat-Related Health (and Death) Effects of Increasing Green areas: the case study of the Greenbelt’s Urban River Valleys

The Greater Toronto Area has experienced significant urbanization during the past decade; meanwhile, the consequences of the urban heat island and the frequency and duration of the heat waves are becoming more evident. Preserving the green areas and increasing vegetation leads to a decrease in air temperature, an increase in evapotranspiration, a decrease in cooling energy demand; and provide better thermal comfort for inhabitants. To assess the effects of green infrastructure and the Greenbelt’s urban river valleys on urban climate and air quality, the mesoscale model needs to be coupled with the air quality model. The benefits of this project are: 1) developing a comprehensive basis for regional climate and air quality evaluations; 2) assessing the effects of greenery in the GTA, and 3) providing more accurate and reliable information for policymakers to improve urban climate and air quality and reduce the negative impacts of high temperatures.

Faculty Supervisor:

Umberto Berardi

Student:

Zahra Jandaghian;Mohamed Ahmed

Partner:

Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation

Discipline:

Architecture and design

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

Ryerson University