Horticulture-Based Strategies for Air Quality Management

Air pollution remains one of the most pressing global environmental challenges, with smog and deteriorating air quality posing significant threats to human health, ecosystems, and urban sustainability. Traditional mitigation approaches, while effective to an extent, are often resource-intensive and technologically complex. In recent years, horticulture-based strategies, particularly the integration of green infrastructure, have emerged as cost-effective and sustainable solutions for smog mitigation and pollution control. This paper examines global trends in leveraging horticultural interventions such as urban forests, vertical gardens, green roofs, and phytoremediation techniques to improve air quality. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms by which vegetation captures particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), absorbs gaseous pollutants (NOx, SO2, CO2), and enhances urban microclimates. The study synthesizes evidence from diverse geographical regions, highlighting successful case studies and policy initiatives that prioritize green infrastructure as a core component of air quality management