Despite several decades of progress, outdoor air pollution in the Pittsburgh area remains a significant public health burden. An increasing variety of health threats are being identified at concentrations previously considered safe, significantly expanding the proportion of population at risk.
At the same time, substantial activities are underway to make Pittsburgh more sustainable, economically vibrant, and socially just. By and large, these actions can take place in concert with goals to improve the region's air quality.
The following discussion documents outline general planning guidance focused on such an alignment. While focused on the Pittsburgh region, they are generally applicable to urban planning in any city.
Specific attention is also placed on 1) the intersections among public health, architecture, and air quality and 2) the health benefits of green space development.
