How Sensitive Morphological Parameters Influence on the PM2.5 Diffusion: An Empirical Study of Two Neighborhoods in Central Beijing

Air quality is highly related to the health of a human being. Urban morphology has a significant influence on air quality; however, the specific relationship between urban morphology characteristics and air quality at the neighborhood scale has yet to be investigated, especially the vegetation effect on PM2.5 concentration and diffusion. The relevant morphological parameters based on the affected pathways of urban morphology on air quality were selected, and the sensitivity degree and laws of the selected morphological parameters to PM2.5 were quantified by numerical simulation, bivariate correlation analysis, and regression analysis. The results showed that Building Density (BD), Block Envelope Degree (BED), Average Building Volume (ABV), Average Building Floors (ABF), Standard Deviation of Building Height (SDH) and Greenbelt Coverage Rate (GCR) were Sensitive Morphological Parameters (SMPs). A positive and cosine curve trend of BD and BED with PM2.5 was observed. GCR was significant to dust retention along with vertical canopy height. When ABV = 40,000 m(3) and ABF = 20F, the lowest PM2.5 concentration was examined, while increased SDH could promote airflow and enhance the capacity of PM2.5 diffusion. Finally, morphology-optimization strategies were proposed at the neighborhood scale: (1) Decreasing the BED along the street; (2) considering the species of vegetation with the appropriate height and increasing the GCR; (3) increasing the ABF of neighborhoods appropriately while controlling the ABV and distinguishing the internal SDH of neighborhoods. The study could apply the scientific basis for the planning and design of healthy and livable cities.