Urban Air Quality, Green Spaces, and Microclimate Analysis

Dear Colleagues,

Urban environments worldwide face unprecedented challenges from rapid urbanization and climate change, creating complex interactions between atmospheric quality, thermal patterns, and green infrastructure that directly impact human health and environmental sustainability.

For this Special Issue, we welcome the submission of research that advances understanding of these interconnected challenges through a One Health perspective, recognizing the fundamental links between environmental quality, ecosystem health, and human wellbeing. We invite interdisciplinary research that bridges atmospheric science, urban ecology, and public health applications spanning multiple scales—from neighborhoods to metropolitan areas. We particularly encourage investigations that leverage Earth Observation technologies and geospatial analysis, while also considering studies that combine multiple analytical approaches—including satellite observations, microclimate modeling, field measurements, and machine learning techniques—to predict optimal green infrastructure configurations, assess air purification capacity, and quantify cooling effects across diverse urban contexts.

Research addressing global sustainability frameworks, particularly SDG 11 targets focused on reductions in urban resilience and environmental impact, is welcome. This includes efforts to alleviate adverse environmental impacts per capita in cities with attention given to air quality management, as well as initiatives to enhance urban climate resilience and adaptive capacity.

Research contributions may explore machine learning approaches for atmospheric parameter retrieval (particulate matter, trace gases, aerosols, and their precursors); data fusion techniques combining multiple satellite sensors with ground-based observations; high-resolution mapping of pollutant concentrations and exposure assessment; integration of meteorological, topographical, and socioeconomic data; validation methodologies and uncertainty quantification; environmental justice applications; operational tools for public health agencies; and climate-health nexus studies.

Methodological advances utilizing emerging satellite missions and heterogeneous data sources from diverse geographical regions are encouraged. We seek contributions that demonstrate practical applications for urban planning, environmental management, and public health policy development within frameworks that address global sustainability goals and support climate-neutral and resilient smart cities.

Dr. Mariella Aquilino
Prof. Dr. Shady Attia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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