Air Quality Management Zonation using Spatial-Temporal Statistical Analysis, Dubai-UAE

A key aspect of a sustainable urban design is the reduction in exposure to air pollution by the enhancement of airflow and pollution dispersal. Little 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 using high-resolution imagery of concentration for different air pollutants was carried out, over the Dubai Emirates area, to analyze the spatial and temporal air quality patterns and their correlation with land-cover land-use (LCLU) in order to map and quantify risks that are connected to air pollution and poor urban planning strategies. Afterward, 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 reduced ventilation processes. The study methodology can be implemented in different urban areas to identify poor air quality areas where a comprehensive investigation is required and to assist in the development of urban planning strategies. Index Terms—land-cover land-use (LCLU), Geographic Information System (GIS), Urban planning, and Air Quality Management Zones.