Modern cities face serious environmental and social issues as a result of rapid urbanisation, such as poor air quality, increased heat stress, and declining public health. There is an increasing need for sustainable solutions to these problems as metropolitan areas grow. Using Piazza della Repubblica in Milan as a case study, this thesis investigates the possibilities of combining plant-based air filtration systems and thermal stress mitigation techniques in urban planning. The study looks at how to introduce nature-based solutions (NBS) into urban areas to improve air quality, lessen heat stress, and increase environmental sustainability. Examples of NBS include native tree planting, green roofs, and permeable pavements. The first section of the thesis examines Piazza della Repubblica's current environmental state, stressing the square's problems with heat retention, pollution, and a lack of green infrastructure. The incorporation of NBS is therefore given priority in a number of design approaches that are suggested to overcome these problems. Expanding green areas, adding permeable pavements to control stormwater, and using native tree species renowned for their capacity to filter pollutants and offer shade are also part of the makeover. By making the plaza more useful on an ecological and social level, these interventions hope to make it a more living and sustainable urban area. The results of this study show that incorporating NBS into urban planning greatly enhances public health, biodiversity, and air quality as well as thermal comfort. The study demonstrates that Piazza della Repubblica can serve as a model for other cities looking to balance urban development with environmental sustainability by lowering concentrations of pollutants like PM2.5, CO2, and VOCs and by mitigating the urban heat island effect through increased vegetation and water features. The thesis comes to the conclusion that using natural solutions can help build more resilient urban settings and contribute to the worldwide effort to make cities more habitable and sustainable for coming generations.
Le città moderne affrontano gravi problemi ambientali e sociali a causa della rapida urbanizzazione, come la scarsa qualità dell'aria, l'aumento dello stress termico e il deterioramento della salute pubblica. Con l'espansione delle aree metropolitane, c'è un crescente bisogno di soluzioni sostenibili a questi problemi. Utilizzando Piazza della Repubblica a Milano come caso di studio, questa tesi indaga le possibilità di combinare sistemi di filtrazione dell'aria basati su piante e tecniche di mitigazione dello stress termico nella pianificazione urbana. Lo studio esamina come introdurre soluzioni basate sulla natura (Nature-Based Solutions, NBS) nelle aree urbane per migliorare la qualità dell'aria, ridurre lo stress termico e aumentare la sostenibilità ambientale. Esempi di NBS includono la piantumazione di alberi autoctoni, tetti verdi e pavimentazioni permeabili. La prima parte della tesi analizza lo stato ambientale attuale di Piazza della Repubblica, mettendo in evidenza i problemi della piazza legati alla ritenzione del calore, all'inquinamento e alla carenza di infrastrutture verdi. L'integrazione delle NBS è quindi prioritaria in una serie di approcci progettuali suggeriti per affrontare questi problemi. La riqualificazione comprende l'ampliamento delle aree verdi, l'aggiunta di pavimentazioni permeabili per gestire le acque piovane e l'uso di specie arboree autoctone note per la loro capacità di filtrare gli inquinanti e fornire ombra. Questi interventi mirano a rendere la piazza più vivibile e sostenibile, sia dal punto di vista ecologico che sociale. I risultati di questo studio dimostrano che l'integrazione delle NBS nella pianificazione urbana migliora significativamente la salute pubblica, la biodiversità, la qualità dell'aria e il comfort termico. Lo studio evidenzia che Piazza della Repubblica può diventare un modello per altre città che desiderano bilanciare lo sviluppo urbano con la sostenibilità ambientale, riducendo le concentrazioni di inquinanti come PM2.5, CO2 e VOC, e mitigando l'effetto dell'isola di calore urbana grazie all'aumento della vegetazione e delle aree con acqua. La tesi conclude che l'uso di soluzioni naturali può contribuire a creare ambienti urbani più resilienti e a sostenere lo sforzo globale per rendere le città più abitabili e sostenibili per le generazioni future.
Enhancing urban liveability : integrating plant based air filtration systems and thermal stress mitigation for sustainable urban environments with a case study: Piazza Della Repubblica, Milano, and the creation of a green corridor
YMERI, MJALTINË
2024/2025
Abstract
Modern cities face serious environmental and social issues as a result of rapid urbanisation, such as poor air quality, increased heat stress, and declining public health. There is an increasing need for sustainable solutions to these problems as metropolitan areas grow. Using Piazza della Repubblica in Milan as a case study, this thesis investigates the possibilities of combining plant-based air filtration systems and thermal stress mitigation techniques in urban planning. The study looks at how to introduce nature-based solutions (NBS) into urban areas to improve air quality, lessen heat stress, and increase environmental sustainability. Examples of NBS include native tree planting, green roofs, and permeable pavements. The first section of the thesis examines Piazza della Repubblica's current environmental state, stressing the square's problems with heat retention, pollution, and a lack of green infrastructure. The incorporation of NBS is therefore given priority in a number of design approaches that are suggested to overcome these problems. Expanding green areas, adding permeable pavements to control stormwater, and using native tree species renowned for their capacity to filter pollutants and offer shade are also part of the makeover. By making the plaza more useful on an ecological and social level, these interventions hope to make it a more living and sustainable urban area. The results of this study show that incorporating NBS into urban planning greatly enhances public health, biodiversity, and air quality as well as thermal comfort. The study demonstrates that Piazza della Repubblica can serve as a model for other cities looking to balance urban development with environmental sustainability by lowering concentrations of pollutants like PM2.5, CO2, and VOCs and by mitigating the urban heat island effect through increased vegetation and water features. The thesis comes to the conclusion that using natural solutions can help build more resilient urban settings and contribute to the worldwide effort to make cities more habitable and sustainable for coming generations.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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2024_12_Ymeri.pdf
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Descrizione: My thesis, titled Enhancing Urban Livability: Integrating Plant-Based Air Filtration Systems and Thermal Stress Mitigation Strategies for Sustainable Urban Environments with a Case Study: Piazza della Repubblica, Milano, and the Creation of a Green Corridor, examines how strategic urban design can mitigate air pollution and thermal stress. In order to improve air quality and thermal comfort, interventions such as native plantings, green tunnels, shading devices, and pavement changes are suggested, with a focus on pollutants including PM2.5, CO2, and VOCs. In order to promote long-term urban resilience and liveability, the study focusses on turning Piazza della Repubblica into a sustainable, livable area and creating a green corridor that traces Milan's mediaeval walls.
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/229815