Air Quality and Sustainable Urban Development with Iyad Al-Attar
Redefining Our Relationship with Air Quality
Iyad emphasised the need to change our relationship with the environment and our approach to urban development. He believes that air quality should not be an afterthought but a fundamental pillar in planning and managing urban spaces. Urbanisation should not lead to people clustering in polluted cities; instead, air quality must be considered from the outset to ensure health and well-being.
Iyad linked air quality to sustainability, highlighting that clean air is often misunderstood as just fresh air. He explained that sustainable air quality management involves integrating technologies to respond to variations in indoor air quality and human occupancy. The technology exists, but the challenge is in its implementation and integration. Iyad called for collaboration among government officials, policymakers, designers, and the public to make this possible.
The Need for Air Quality Governance
Governance plays a significant role in embedding air quality into urban design. Iyad pointed out that during the COVID-19 pandemic, measures like mask mandates and vaccinations were implemented swiftly. Similarly, air quality governance can be established through mandates and standards that ensure buildings are fit to occupy. He envisions a future where air quality is a design parameter in urban planning, with metrics for human occupancy and ventilation rates being standard practice.
We discussed the broader perspective of air quality in urban planning. Iyad suggested that air quality considerations should go beyond individual buildings to include city-wide planning. This approach involves multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, environmental scientists, and urban planners, to create comprehensive solutions.
Iyad stressed the importance of continuous air quality monitoring. This practice allows for real-time data collection and analysis, helping to maintain optimal indoor environments. He argued that without continuous monitoring, addressing air quality issues becomes guesswork. Data-driven decisions are essential for sustainable air quality management.
The Role of Filtration in Air Quality Management
One of the critical discussions was the state-of-the-art and performance gaps in filter deployment. Iyad pointed out that air quality metrics often focus only on particle capture, neglecting other pollutants like formaldehyde and nitrogen oxides (NOx). He argued that air quality should be integrated into the basic infrastructure of buildings, just like plumbing or electricity. This integration requires a holistic approach that includes ventilation, filtration, and continuous air quality monitoring.
Improving indoor air quality is often perceived as expensive. However, he argued that the costs of poor air quality—health issues, decreased productivity, and economic losses—far outweigh the investment in air quality management. He called for a shift in perspective, viewing air quality as a non-negotiable aspect of building management.
Training and Certification for Air Quality Professionals
Iyad highlighted the need for training and certification programs for air quality officers and filtration specialists. These professionals would be responsible for generating specifications and ensuring compliance with air quality standards. Such initiatives would elevate the importance of air quality in building management and create a more knowledgeable workforce.
Iyad concluded by emphasising the need for a collective approach to air quality management. Governments, industries, and individuals must work together to ensure that air quality is prioritised in urban planning and building management. By integrating air quality into the core of urban development, we can create healthier, more sustainable environments for future generations.
The conversation with Iyad Al-Attar underscores the critical need to rethink our approach to air quality in urban development. By making air quality a central pillar of planning and building management, we can ensure healthier, more sustainable cities. Continuous monitoring, data-driven decisions, and collaboration among stakeholders are essential steps toward achieving this goal. As we move forward, the integration of air quality into the broader context of sustainability and urban planning will be key to creating environments that support the well-being of all inhabitants.
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