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Clean Air for Urban Liveability

Understand how cities can improve urban air quality to support the health and wellbeing of its citizens.

322 enrolled on this course

Young man breathing fresh air stretching arms in a park with big trees and a lake in the background and a bike by his side.

Clean Air for Urban Liveability

322 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Discover how urban mobility impacts air quality

The quality of the air we breathe can have a considerable impact on health and wellbeing and the consequent liveability of our cities. Studies show there are a number of factors impacting air quality, including the burning of fossil fuels, industrial facilities, diesel emissions, gases, and vapours, as well as dust.

On this three-week course, you’ll discover how urban mobility impacts air quality in cities, and how this relates to population health and city liveability. Finally, you’ll explore how cities can take action against air pollution.

Learn how to improve air quality

You’ll delve into the many factors contributing to poor air quality before unpacking the techniques for improving it, such as ecological buffers on roads with high car traffic.

You’ll also learn the approaches to measuring air quality to ensure you know the extent of the problem. With this knowledge, you’ll learn how to engage with citizens to help garner support.

Understand how outside air affects indoor air quality

The quality of the air outside also impacts the quality of the air we breathe indoors. Therefore, it’s important to consider how both can be improved.

You’ll understand how to use new design tools and concepts to apply to your work to improve both indoor and outdoor air quality.

Delve into population health with RMIT University

Finally, you’ll gain an understanding of what makes a city vulnerable when it comes to air quality and population health. With this knowledge, you’ll learn to identify different policy and city interventions, and their level of impact.

Guided by the experts at RMIT University, you’ll finish the course with a sound understanding of how air quality impacts urban liveability and the techniques you can use to improve air quality.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    The health impact of air quality

    • Introduction

      In this activity, you will be introduced to the content that will be covered during this course. You will also get an overview of the topics covered during the first week of this course.

    • Health consequences of ambient air quality and liveability

      According to data from WHO, in 2019, 99% of the world population was living in places where the WHO air quality guidelines levels were not met.

    • Effect on climate due to air pollution

      Climate change can impact air quality and, conversely, air quality can impact climate change. Pollution is having a tremendous impact on the climate.

  • Week 2

    Air quality monitoring and reporting

    • Welcome to Week 2

      This week our focus will be on how air quality is measured. What are the tools used for monitoring and reporting air quality data?

    • Assessing air quality through citizen science

      Citizen science includes public participation in scientific research and many other activities designed to improve the public’s understanding of their environment, including local air quality.

    • Soft mobility

      Soft mobility is the third most frequently used mode of transport for everyday trips after individual cars and public transportation. It includes all ways of getting around (cycling, walking, roller-skating, etc.).

  • Week 3

    Policy and infrastructure interventions

    • Welcome to Week 3

      This week will include articles on the role of urban transport in making cities liveable. We will provide tools which will help you in designing sustainable, liveable and healthy cities.

    • Case study: Policy interventions in reducing air pollution

      Various different interventions have been used in transportation planning in order to control emissions from road transport. Policy interventions regulating traffic flow and vehicle access to certain areas have been put in place.

    • Case study: Infrastructure interventions in reducing air pollution

      Infrastructure interventions regulating traffic flow and constructing infrastructure to make cycling & walking easier in certain areas have been put in place in various cities in Europe.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify what makes a city vulnerable when it comes to air quality and population health
  • Explain the impact of air quality on the climate which in turn affects mankind
  • Describe the global situation of air quality, particularly in reference to Europe
  • Explore approaches to measuring air quality and engaging citizens
  • Describe the role of low cost monitoring of air quality with involvement of citizens/communities
  • Explain different citizen science projects, their design and implementation
  • Identify different policy and infrastructure interventions and their level of impact
  • Identify different city or town planning interventions and their level of impact
  • Explain the main barriers for improvement, action plan for the future

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for those working in or interested in working in urban mobility and sustainable urban development.

You could either work in the private sector such as a designer or in the public sector such as a civil servant.

Who will you learn with?

Priya is a building scientist and the Director of the Sustainable Building Innovation Lab, at School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.

Dr Nigel Goodman is a Vice Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow at RMIT University. His research aims to improve air quality and public health.

Who developed the course?

RMIT University

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) is a global university, with over 80,000 students, specialising in technology, design and enterprise.

  • Established

    1887
  • Location

    Melbourne, Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 210Source: QS World University Rankings 2022

EIT Urban Mobility

EIT Urban Mobility is an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Since January 2019 we have been working to encourage positive changes in the way people move around cities in order to make them more liveable places. We aim to become the largest European initiative transforming urban mobility. Co-funding of up to € 400 million (2020-2026) from the EIT, a body of the European Union, will help make this happen.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$39.99/month

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 10 May 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

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