Urban green spaces are often claimed to mitigate environmental health issues associated with urban development, although empirical evidence is lacking. This Interactive Qualifying Project analyzed the efficacy of parks in reducing pollution concentrations and increasing the well- being of Hangzhou’s residents. By measuring particulate matter and canopy coverage, surveying park-goers, and conducting ArcGIS spatial analysis, we conclude that parks are effective at improving quality of life but are not effective at reducing air pollution, demonstrating that other variables mediate pollution concentrations.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Bauer, Laura Ashley
• Vaughan, Zachary Lewis
• DeBenedictis, Matthew Paul
• Giangrave, David Lawrence

Subject

• Infrastructure
• Health
• Environment

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-011018-173805

Keyword

• Air--Pollution
• Parks--Management
• Open spaces

Advisor

• Foo, Katherine
• Peet, R. Creighton

Year

• 2018

Center

• Hangzhou, China Project Center - IQP

Sponsor

• Smart City Research Center of Zhejiang Province

Date created

• 2018-01-10

Location

• Hangzhou

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright