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The challenge
The City of London can experience high levels of air pollution, with nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter being the two pollutants of most concern. The City Corporation, which governs the City of London, is required by statute to measure air pollution and to develop and implement a plan for improvement as health-based pollutant limits are exceeded. In 2001, the whole of the Square Mile was declared an Air Quality Management area for nitrogen dioxide and small particles (PM10). This project has provided new access to information for the public to improve their understanding of these issues.
The solution
The City Corporation was undertaking a review of the City of London Air Quality Strategy and wanted to include static visualisations of air quality data and information. Aether created an online, interactive data visualisation from which screenshots could be taken for the Air Quality Strategy. This approach provided not only the static visualisations but also a tool that could be used for engagement with policy makers and the public.
The result
The visualisation that Aether developed can be found here. This tool allows technical and non-technical users to explore the data and information. It can be used for engagement with the public and to aid evidence-based policy making. This tool can be updated and developed in the future to provide an ongoing aid for visualising complex information and drawing key messages on air pollution trends.
Kathryn Hampshire
Principal Consultant
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