The impact of an urban park on air pollution and noise levels in the Mediterranean city of Tel-Aviv, Israel

This study examines the influence of urban parks on air quality and noise in the city of Tel-Aviv, Israel, by investigation of an urban park, an urban square and a street canyon. Simultaneous monitoring of several air pollutants and noise levels were conducted. The results showed that urban parks can reduce NOx, CO and PM10 and increase O-3 concentrations and that park's mitigation effect is greater at higher NOx, and PM10 levels. During extreme events, mean values of 413ppb NOx and 80 mu G/m(3) PMio were measured in the street while mean values of 89ppb NOx and 24 mu G/m(3) PM10 were measured in the park. Whereas summer highest O-3 values of 84ppb were measured in the street, 94ppb were measured in the park. The benefit of the urban park in reducing NOx and PM10 concentrations is more significant than the disadvantage of increased O-3 levels. Furthermore, urban parks can reduce noise by similar to 5 dB(A). (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.