Air pollution is the most prominent form of pollution in urban areas. The causes of air pollution can be narrowed down to three main causes. In this essay I will talk about these causes in depth and the solutions to these causes, in order to reduce the amount of air pollution within a city.
The first greatest cause of air pollution in a city is the use of motor vehicles. The majority of the world uses cars that are powered by petrol, a non-renewable source of energy, which when burned, produces carbon dioxide, methane and dust particles which are then released into the air, therefore causing poorer air quality. This issue can be solved by discouraging the use of gas powered private vehicles and to encourage cycling, public transport and electric vehicles.
Rapid urban growth also causes people to take away natural vegetation, not only causing there to be less oxygen production from photosynthesis but also releasing the carbon dioxide that was once stored in the trees contributing to the air pollution. This can be mitigated by creating more green spaces such as parks within a city as well as scatter trees and native flora all over the city.
The third cause is the infrastructure of high rises causing the airflow to be restricted. Tall buildings slow down the wind which carries air pollutants. If airflow is restricted, it may be more difficult to clean out the polluted air from city centers, therefore causing air pollution to linger and build up more. Although it may be difficult to change a city that is already built, this issue can be controlled by planning cities more thoroughly so that the buildings make way for sufficient airflow.
To sum this essay, air pollution has multiple different causes which all have ways to reduce its effects. Car emissions can be lessened by providing other means of transport, the lack of vegetation can be solved by simply planting more trees and green areas, and and the lack of airflow can be improved by better urban planning. All of these solutions combined can greatly improve the air quality of cities therefore improving health and reducing impacts on the environment.