The pollution of metropolis slowly thanks to new superillavas and port electrification projects, but there is still a way to go.
25% of traffic reduction in Barcelona Avoid 200 premature deaths per year. The Mediterranean City experiences the highest automobile density in the European Union, Almost 6,000 vehicles per square kilometer.
Although it is not an easy task to reduce the use of combustion machines, The previous city administration was verifiedThis new scientific research shows its meaning. The quality of the air of Barcelona Updated in 2024 for the second year of continuous According to the city’s air pollution surveillance network in January, thanks to continuous pollution reduction policies.
Icelobal review proposes the full implementation of the 2018-2024 Urban Movement Program launched under the order of the previous mayor, Kolao isAnd its councilor, Janet Sans, for ecology, urban and movement. “This study focuses on In BarcelonaBut this is an example to understand the impact of specific policies in reducing air pollution in other cities, ”says Mark Neuvenhujan, director of the climate program, air pollution, nature and urbalin’s health.
Save the lives in Barcelona reduces the number of cars
Researchers have worked with the National Super Computer Center (BSC-CNS), based on the capital of the Catalan. It has created a technology Sample traffic emission The city and the resulting pollution. From a reference site in 2019, they created three imaginative scenes, each with a different level of traffic.
First simulation Removes roads VehiclesMore pollutantsBut do not set the number of private vehicles in the city. The result was a decrease 5,9% In nitrogen dioxide levels (Not), It increases the risk of respiratory illness. According to the sample of the researchers, this will be avoided 67 deaths In advance of one year.
There Second view25% reduction in the number of private vehicles in circulation 17,6% Dimensions NotWhat to avoid 199 deaths One year. Most of the victims of this change live in the center of the city -a large amount of pollution area -in the West. There, is located between the district of Sands and the Holitrate of Laloprigat One of the highest population density areas Throughout Europe.
Barcelona’s busy port This is an important source of pollution because of the contribution of maritime transport Death is 7% Related to him Not In the city. As the port plans to electrify its dock by 2030, The third display of isglobal’s Analyzed the impact of this growth. Consequently reduction 19,4% In the meal Not y 228 deaths Avoidable is less than a year.
This scene will save most of the lives near Sona Franga, One of the most impoverished districts And located around the doorstep. “The study only focuses on the impacts of these activities Not.
How did Barcelona reduce its pollution so far?
Last year, metropolis were able to achieve its lowest nitrogen dioxide levels. At the heart of the city’s road, EELCAMPLE measurement station, It was almost 6%reduced by its size.
Authorities have stated this progress to various factors, including activities Increase the app Public transport. Low emission areas also contributed to controlling pollution by controlling the access of some polluting vehicles in the large parts of the city.
Within the structure of the urban movement program, creation Superillas The admiration of urbanists from all over the world has earned. The project will bring nine apples from the city and cross the transport and design gambling and greenery.
However, Barcelona must progress faster in cleaning its roads and air. “While we are evaluable deaths are significant, none of the proposed views in our study can meet the new limits Not The European Union was proposed in its new air quality order, which will come into effect by 2030, ”says Ana Ramos, the researcher and new writer of Islam. Study Posted in the Health & Place Magazine. “It suggests that we need to make more more effectively to improve the quality of the wind in our city.”