Assessing the Impact of Urban Form on Air Quality. The Case Study of the Ish-Fusha e Aviacionit Neighborhood
Authors
Dr. Gentjan HYKAJ, Department of Planning and Environment, POLIS University, Albania,
MSc. Greta SHEHU, Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development, Albania
Abstract
Air pollution is a leading environmental and public health concern, contributing to approximately
8.1 million premature deaths annually worldwide. Rapid and unplanned urbanization, particularly
in densely populated areas, is a major factor influencing air quality. This study investigates the
impact of urban morphology on air quality in the Ish-Fusha e Aviacionit neighbourhood in Tirana,
Albania. The area, which has undergone significant development in recent years, presents a
valuable case for analysing how urban form affects pollutant concentration and air circulation.
By combining air quality monitoring with spatial analysis using GIS tools, the study assesses key
factors such as building density, road networks, population distribution, green spaces, and the
availability of air corridors. Field measurements were conducted using the Aeroqual S500 device to
monitor pollutants (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, NO₂, and CO₂), while urban temperature and CO2 was recorded
with a Testo-435. Vegetation coverage was analyzed using NDVI data from Sentinel-2 satellite
imagery. The collected data were further processed through spatial interpolation in ArcGIS and
statistically analyzed using SPSS to explore correlations between pollutant concentrations and
temperature.
The results reveal that compact, high-density urban forms with limited vegetation and obstructed
air corridors are associated with higher levels of air pollution. Subzones with closely spaced highrise buildings exhibited the highest concentrations of PM₂.₅ and NO₂, while CO₂ levels were elevated
in areas dominated by vehicular traffic and poor ventilation. Furthermore, Pearson correlation
analysis indicated a positive relationship between CO₂ concentrations and temperature, suggesting
that areas with higher emissions also tend to retain more heat, likely due to restricted airflow and
limited green cover. Conversely, subzones with lower building density, greater vegetative cover, and
better spatial openness displayed significantly lower pollutant concentrations. Temperature
measurements confirmed urban heat island effects, with denser and less vegetated areas retaining
more heat. NDVI analysis demonstrated a strong inverse correlation between vegetation density
and air pollution levels.
These findings demonstrate the strong interconnection between urban morphology, air quality and
temperature, reinforcing the need for urban planning approaches that integrate nature-based
solutions and prioritize spatial ventilation to promote healthier, more resilient urban environments.
Keywords
Urban morphology, air quality, urbanization
