Assessing the Impact of Green Buildings on Urban Air Pollution in Mashhad

Abstract

Rapid urbanization, the expansion of urban construction, and the increasing consumption of fossil fuels in recent decades have intensified air pollution and reduced environmental quality in major Iranian cities. Mashhad, as the second-largest metropolis in the country, faces serious air pollution challenges due to its semi-arid climate, population growth, concentration of urban activities, and the occurrence of temperature inversion. In this context, buildings account for a significant share of energy consumption and the production of air pollutants, and therefore can play a decisive role in either exacerbating or reducing pollution.

The present study aims to investigate the role of green buildings in reducing air pollution in the city of Mashhad. The research method is descriptive–analytical and comparative in nature. The statistical population consists of 60 buildings in Mashhad, including 30 buildings designed based on green building principles and 30 conventional buildings. Data related to five major pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO₂, and SO₂, were collected from the Environmental Protection Organization of Razavi Khorasan for the year 2024 (1403). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software.

The results indicated that the average concentration of pollutants in green buildings was approximately 30 percent lower than that in conventional buildings. These findings highlight the significant role of green design in reducing air pollution, improving environmental quality, and promoting urban sustainability in the metropolis of Mashhad. The results of this study can serve as a basis for urban policy-making, the development of design regulations, and the promotion of sustainable architecture in similar climatic regions.