Envisioning “City oasis” on the urban environment. Climate change oriented design for air purification in big cities

Abstract

This paper explores the possibilities of architectural design to benefit human condition, which encompasses physical well-being, environmental quality of life in big cities during the Climate Change era. The urban pollution is rising on a global scale. The present paper is focused on a new possibility to resolve the problem of air purification in highly-urbanized areas. The first part of the paper depicts possible usage of Titanium dioxide (TiO2) technology-nanoparticles of TiO2, as a building materials component such as cement and gypsum. These components are the latest findings in the field of nanomaterials development, and their effectiveness due to the usage of the photocatalysis, which depends on eliminating various atmospheric pollutants and especially clearing the atmosphere from nitrogen oxides. These components together with calcium carbonate to neutralize any acidic gasses that may be adsorbed. Photoactive construction materials are mainly activated under UV light irradiation. The second part presents the results of the research program Climate Change Adapted Architecture and Structures which has been conducted by Krystyna Januszkiewicz (the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture for a few years at West Pomeranian University of Technology WPUT in Szczecin. The presented designs were developed with co-operation, Magdalena Janus and Kamila Bogacz (Institute of Chemical and Environmental Engineering) as applications samples of titanium dioxide technology (photocatalytic active building materials) in the urban space. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the usage of titanium technology, as a construction materials component such as concrete and gypsum, which opens a new way in structure designing in the urban fabric. This is indispensable to improve citizens' health and to clear the atmosphere from nitrogen oxides or the volatile organic compounds.