Calidad del Aire Ambiente en Entornos Escolares con Intervenciones de Urbanismo Táctico en Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract

In school environments, the current urban infrastructure prioritizes private vehicles over promoting active mobility, which leads to increase air pollution and health problems in children. Therefore, evaluating air quality in educational institutions is essential, especially considering the reconfiguration of public spaces. Consequently, the objective is to determine noise levels based on the NMPB-Routes-96 noise prediction model and to assess the concentration of settleable particles using the gravimetric method by collecting particles in open containers before and after tactical urbanism interventions. Another objective is to determine the concentrations of Aluminum (Al), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), and Chromium (Cr) through biomonitoring with bryophytes. The results of settleable particles showed values higher than national and international regulations, and interventions resulted in a 30 % reduction in pollutant concentration. The sound pressure exceeded established limits at both local and national levels, and interventions did not demonstrate a significant reduction. Metal biomonitoring recorded concentrations in the following order from highest to lowest: Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, and Co; also, Zn presented a higher correlation with road traffic. In addition, during the investigation, socializations were carried out with the main actors. This investigation concluded that low air quality occurs in school environments. Therefore, tactical urbanism should be considered as a measure to mitigate pollution from vehicular traffic.