Assessing the Impact of Urban Form on Air Quality The Case Study of the Ish-Fusha e Aviacionit Neighborhood

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