Project description
A crucial step forward for pollution monitoring in cities
Urban areas face severe environmental and health challenges due to transportation emissions. The confluence of high population density and vehicle exhaust fumes leads to significant air and noise pollution. These pollutants have detrimental effects on ecosystems and human health, imposing a substantial economic burden. In this context, the EU-funded Net4Cities project will advance pollution monitoring infrastructure in 11 European cities, including transportation hubs. Through stakeholder collaboration, the project aims to facilitate the realisation of the zero-pollution vision by 2050. Key to its approach is transdisciplinary engagement, producing evidence-based strategies for emission reductions. Project outcomes offer real-time data via a web interface and policy support tools that incorporate technologies like dynamic traffic management and nature-based solutions.
Objective
The transport sector is a major contributor to environmental degradation, including air and noise pollution that have negative effects to ecosystems and human health. This is particularly critical in urban areas, where the confluence of transport emissions and high population density result in adverse health impacts and substantial economic burden. The upcoming changes in the transport sector will be critical to reach targets set by the EU Green Deal. The Zero Pollution Action plans are essential tools to reduce pollution at many different levels. Through co-creation with stakeholders Net4Cities will facilitate the realization of the zero-pollution vision by 2050. The backbone of Net4Cities is this transdisciplinary approach in which the consortium members will engage with the partner cities, including ports and airports, to jointly produce new knowledge, and ensure relevance, uptake, and maximize transferability and exploitation. During the project, air and noise pollution monitoring infrastructure will be advanced and expanded in 11 European cities, including transportation hubs such airports and ports, to conform with upcoming directives and provide data for health impact assessments. The activities are designed to have long-lasting impact through both mid-, and long-term pathways, providing a roadmap for greater uptake in European cities by offering tailored, transferrable, evidence-based support for implementing effective management strategies for reducing transport-related emissions. The main project results will be consolidated in the Net4Cities Studio which will provide (1) a web-based interface with real-time maps and information to raise awareness, and (2) a support tool for policy decisions that will provide guidance for operationalization and recommendations of solutions that consider innovative technologies such as dynamic traffic management systems and inclusion of nature-based solutions in overarching policy designs.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinator
14473 POTSDAM
Germany