Spatial data collection and qualification methods for urban parks in Brazilian capitals: An innovative roadmap.

Urban parks have been studied for their effects on health and the environment. Accessing park data from reliable and comparable sources remains challenging, reinforcing the importance of standardized search tools, notably in Latin America. We designed a systematized methodology to identify processes of accessing, collecting, verifying, and harmonizing urban park spatial data in all Brazilian capitals included in the Urban Health in Latin America (SALURBAL) project. We developed a research protocol using official and non-official sources combining the results of Google Maps (GMaps) points and OpenStreetMap (OSM) polygons-GMaps-OSM. Descriptive analyses included the frequency of the distribution of parks before and after harmonization stratified by data source. We used the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess agreement in the area between official and GMaps-OSM data. Official data were obtained for 16 cities; for the remaining 11 capitals, we used GMaps-OSM. After verification and harmonization, 302 urban parks were obtained from official data and 128 from GMaps-OSM. In a sub-study of the 16 cities with official data (n = 302 parks), we simulated a collection of non-official data using GMaps-OSM and OSM only. From GMaps-OSM, we obtained 142 parks, and from OSM, 230 parks. Statistical analysis showed a better agreement between official data and OSM. After completing verification and harmonization, the complete dataset (official and GMaps-OSM) included 430 urban parks with a total area of 145.14 km2. The mean number of parks across cities was 16, with a mean size area of 0.33 km2. The median number of parks was nine, with a median area of 0.07 km2. This study highlights the importance of creating mechanisms to access, collect, harmonize, and verify urban park data, which is essential for examining the impact of parks on health. It also stresses the importance of providing reliable urban park spatial data for city officials.

Air Pollution and Environmental Justice in Latin America: Where Are We and How Can We Move Forward?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Air pollution in Latin America is a major environmental threat, yet few studies have focused on aspects of environmental justice with regard to air pollution in the region. We examined the scientific literature and described whether and how this issue has been addressed, identify possible gaps in knowledge, and offer suggestions for future research to contribute to policies that seek greater equity concerning air pollution impacts in Latin America. RECENT FINDINGS: There is a limited literature that has addressed issues of environmental justice or environmental health inequalities about air pollution in Latin America, with studies concentrated in Brazil, Mexico, and Chile. Studies that examined disparities in exposure to air pollution found a clear pattern of higher exposure in socially deprived areas. Studies that examined disparities in health impacts associated with air pollution have mixed results, but many found a clear modification of effect with those in the lower socioeconomic groups presenting greater effects. Despite Latin America's colonial and slavery history, no studies have considered ethnicity or minority populations. The literature shows that health risks (exposure and susceptibility) associated with air pollution are unevenly distributed among Latin American populations. Methodological approaches varied and can be improved in future studies, especially for exposure assessment to air pollution, as well as for assigning socioeconomic position to individuals. Using smaller geographic units and spatial regression techniques will allow a reduction in measurement error. Attempts should be made to include both individual and contextual socioeconomic indicators in the analysis. Better quality information will help understand these differential exposures and effects and provide inputs to policies to tackle these inequalities.

Latin American cities with higher socioeconomic status are greening from a lower baseline: evidence from the SALURBAL project.

The characteristics of urban green space have context-dependent associations with socioeconomic status (SES). Latin American cities provide a unique but understudied context to assess the green space-SES associations. We measured the quantity and quality of green space as greenness from satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and we modeled the relationship between greenness and SES in 371 major Latin American cities between 2000 and 2010. We found that SES was negatively associated with average greenness at city and sub-city scales, which could be explained by urbanization generally improving SES while reducing the provision of green space. About 82% of the cities and 64% of the sub-cities experienced greening or increases in greenness over time. Although with lower average greenness, cities with higher SES had greater greening; however, it was the opposite for sub-cities. We suggest that greening is more likely to take place in peripheral sub-cities where SES tends to be lower. The findings challenge the belief that places with higher SES have better access to environmental resources and amenities; instead, this relationship is context dependent.

Clean air matters: an overview of traffic-related air pollution and pregnancy.

The right to a healthy pregnancy and to giving birth in a safe environment is source of comprehensive research. Decent birth facilities, respect, and no discrimination are already recognized as fundamental rights, but an accurate look at the outdoor environment is required. Air pollution is a dangerous factor to pregnant women and newborns, many of whom highly exposed to traffic-related atmospheric pollutants in urban areas. Such exposure can lead to low birth weight and long-lasting effects, such as respiratory diseases and premature death. Thus, this commentary, based on the analysis of literature, presents the importance of the exposome concept and of epigenetics in identifying the role of the environment for better health conditions of pregnant women and newborns. In the final considerations, this study proposes the deepening of the subject and the mobilization in this regard, with a human rights-based approach to environmental health and to the increased awareness of pregnant women on the risks of air pollution and its effects on health.

Clean air matters: an overview of traffic-related air pollution and pregnancy

ABSTRACT The right to a healthy pregnancy and to giving birth in a safe environment is source of comprehensive research. Decent birth facilities, respect, and no discrimination are already recognized as fundamental rights, but an accurate look at the outdoor environment is required. Air pollution is a dangerous factor to pregnant women and newborns, many of whom highly exposed to traffic-related atmospheric pollutants in urban areas. Such exposure can lead to low birth weight and long-lasting effects, such as respiratory diseases and premature death. Thus, this commentary, based on the analysis of literature, presents the importance of the exposome concept and of epigenetics in identifying the role of the environment for better health conditions of pregnant women and newborns. In the final considerations, this study proposes the deepening of the subject and the mobilization in this regard, with a human rights-based approach to environmental health and to the increased awareness of pregnant women on the risks of air pollution and its effects on health.

How Can Urban Policies Improve Air Quality and Help Mitigate Global Climate Change: a Systematic Mapping Review.

Tackling climate change at the global level is central to a growing field of scientific research on topics such as environmental health, disease burden, and its resulting economic impacts. At the local level, cities constitute an important hub of atmospheric pollution due to the large amount of pollutants that they emit. As the world population shifts to urban centers, cities will increasingly concentrate more exposed populations. Yet, there is still significant progress to be made in understanding the contribution of urban pollutants other than CO2, such as vehicle emissions, to global climate change. It is therefore particularly important to study how local governments are managing urban air pollution. This paper presents an overview of local air pollution control policies and programs that aim to reduce air pollution levels in megacities. It also presents evidence measuring their efficacy. The paper argues that local air pollution policies are not only beneficial for cities but are also important for mitigating and adapting to global climate change. The results systematize several policy approaches used around the world and suggest the need for more in-depth cross-city studies with the potential to highlight best practices both locally and globally. Finally, it calls for the inclusion of a more human rights-based approach as a mean of guaranteeing of clean air for all and reducing factors that exacerbate climate change.

Poluição do ar sob a perspectiva urbana: comparando estratégias implementadas de controle de emissão veicular e mobilidade em São Paulo, Nova Iorque e Paris / Air pollution policies from an urban-oriented perspective comparing implemented strategies to control vehicular emissions and mobility in São Paulo, New York City and Paris

Objetivo: Este estudo teve por objetivo descrever e analisar as políticas e estratégias de controle da poluição do ar no meio urbano, com vistas a melhorar a qualidade do ar e apto a servir como referência para outras cidades em face de problemas críticos de poluição do ar. Usando os casos de Nova Iorque, São Paulo e Paris, este estudo destaca as diferentes políticas e tendências de gestão previstas nas três cidades, fornecendo uma caracterização destes três centros, descrevendo o período global e legal de desenvolvimento das principais políticas e destacando as principais estratégias implementadas ao longo dos últimos vinte anos. Metodologia: Tendo como abordagem um estudo múltiplo de caso, um primeiro componente fundamental da pesquisa consistiu na caracterização das três cidades, fornecendo dados sobre tendências das médias anuais da poluição do ar no que se refere a níveis de NO2, PM10, PM2.5, Ozônio e SO2 ao longo dos últimos quinze anos, apresentando uma visão geral dos meios de transporte e das frotas de veículos, e descrevendo as principais políticas desenvolvidas nas três cidades. Em seguida, a pesquisa propõe uma categorização das principais estratégias aplicadas, usando as abordagens de gestão da poluição do ar (regulatório, incentivos econômicos e outros) da OECD (Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Econômico) para visualizar as escolhas estratégicas empregadas.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe and analyze urban air pollution control policies and strategies, with the goal of improving air quality and serving as a reference for other cities facing critical air pollution issues. Using the cases of New York City, São Paulo and Paris, this study highlights the different policies and management tendencies practiced in the three cities, by providing a characterization of the three centers, describing the global and legal timeframe of the development of main policies and highlighting major strategies implemented over the last twenty years. Methodology: Using a multi-case study approach, the first component of the research consisted of characterizing the three cities, providing data on air pollution yearly average level trends of NO2, PM10, PM2.5, Ozone and SO2 over the last fifteen years, giving an overview of modes of travel and the local vehicle fleet, and describing the main policies undertaken in the three cities. Then, the study proposed a categorization of the main strategies applied using OECD air pollution management approaches (regulatory, economic incentives and others) to foresee strategic choices employed. Finally, the results were synthesized with a SWOT analysis matrix and complemented with suggestions based on a human-rights approach to air quality.