How does urban planning affect air quality?

Urban planning has a significant impact on air quality, and the assertion regarding the increase in vehicle emissions and the limitation of green spaces highlights a negative aspect of poorly managed urban development. When urban planning does not prioritize sustainability, it can lead to the proliferation of paved surfaces, increased traffic congestion, and the over-reliance on motor vehicles. This results in higher emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which severely degrade air quality. Additionally, insufficient green spaces in urban environments mean fewer natural filtration systems to absorb pollutants, leading to higher concentrations of harmful substances in the air.

Effective urban planning should ideally counteract these negative effects by integrating more green spaces and promoting public transport and other sustainable practices. Thus, when planning fails to incorporate environmental considerations, it can exacerbate air quality issues, making urban settings more polluted and less healthy for residents.