Urban air quality management in Östersund : Finding the suitable parts for Chinese cities to learn from Östersund

Abstract: Urban air quality management is a system for governments to lead cities towards achieving good air quality standards in an efficient way. Good air quality can avoid many environmental issues which are regarding air problems. At least, reduce environmental impacts efficiently in some extent. Carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and particulate matter (PM) are the common elements of air pollution. Topography, weather, the physical and chemical properties of pollutants and emission sources are also accomplices of air pollution. Östersund was a case study in this thesis because it has satisfactory air quality and won the European Mobility Week Award in 2014. Weather, winds, transportation and heating systems are the factors that influence urban air quality in Östersund. Green Traffic, Green Energy, and Green Highway are efficient projects in connection with air quality improvement in Östersund. Through successful technical application and institutional management, Östersund became one of the best climate cities in Sweden. This study is main focus on how Östersund municipality manages the local urban air quality then tries to find the suitable parts for China to learn. Here learn means find the suitable ways to improve urban air quality in China. It doesn’t mean copy all these projects. Emissions from vehicles, dust and the old style structures of energy are the main factors to reduce urban air quality in China. China did similar projects like Östersund did to improve urban air quality but the results were not so distinct so far. Vast land and large population are significant characteristics in China which make China’s ability slow to solve the air problem. Controlling the dust and emission from vehicles, using renewable resources and clean energy, optimizing industrial structure and complete legislations are beneficial projects to improve urban air quality in China. The projects of Green Traffic and Green Highway, and public participations are significant parts in Östersund which worth to learn for Chinese cities.