Potential of air quality improvements in Sarajevo using innovative architecture approach

Abstract

Air pollution and population health related to it is one of the main issues in Sarajevo in the past few years, especially in the winter time. Reason for that is combustion of coal, oil fuel and other harmful emissions that leads to creation of air pollutants such are: particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NOx), and creation of Ozone (O3). This study addressed the question regarding possible solutions for improvement of air quality by removing NOx emitted from the cars in the particular area of urban core of Marijin Dvor in Sarajevo using innovative architecture approach. Basic principle introduced by this paper considered outdoor application of TiO2 coating, in accordance with previously conducted studies. First part of research was conducted by snowball research method which was used for accumulation of similar research material, while later study was completed using mixed method research design with explanatory research method which provided analyses, comparison and calculation of expected outcomes of applied innovative solutions as a mean to reduce pollution. These innovative approaches were implemented as coatings of TiO2 on elevations and paved areas next to the main road. Total area covered by TiO2 was 15 778 m2. Results strongly indicate that usage of TiO2 coating as innovative approach reduced the amount of NOx emitted by cars per year by 52, 39%. This amount of NOx removed after treatment indicates that method proposed in this study was very effective and suggests that this study can contribute to further analyses and lead to possible implementation in the future.