GRC pilot: Monitoring, Mapping and Modelling Air Quality for Sustainable Environments in Cities and Communities

Led by ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich Switzerland, the MASSEV project (2024-2027) unites global institutions including NILU – The Climate and Environmental Research Institute NILU Norway, PUC - Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Chile, SDU – Shandong University China, and CRAES – Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences China. This ambitious initiative targets Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health, urban living, and global partnerships—specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). MASSEV aims to tackle air pollution in three cities across Chile and China using advanced sensor networks and modelling to precisely map and analyse air quality. The project will leverage the MASSEV Smartphone App to engage citizens and develop effective air pollution mitigation strategies. Involving researchers, local authorities, community groups, NGOs, and academics, MASSEV fosters societal ownership and encourages stakeholder involvement in the co-design of initiatives. The project utilizes a holistic nexus approach to examine the relationships between climate change, air quality, and health, advocating a forward-thinking strategy for environmental challenges. MASSEV expects to enhance urban health, inform policy, promote sustainable urban planning, and increase public awareness of air quality issues. These efforts aim to guide citizens in minimizing their exposure to pollutants and contribute significantly to urban well-being. This project is funded through the international call SDG Pilot Call, a collaboration between 11 funding agencies from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin-America. The aim of the call is to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, through the implementation of results from ongoing or recently finalised research and innovation projects to advance knowledge-based achievement of the SDGs, from local to regional scale.

MASSEV project (2024-2026), led by ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich Switzerland, include NILU – The Climate and Environmental Research Institute NILU Norway, PUC – Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Chile, SDU – Shandong University China, and CRAES – Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences China. It targets SDGs 3, 11 and 17, integrating climate change, air quality, and health to develop holistic mitigation strategies. These strategies will be crafted considering various factors, e.g., governance, societal structures, and economic implications, ensuring a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. Case studies in Qingdao, Jinan and Santiago are utilizing sensor networks that combine advanced monitoring technologies, data analysis, public awareness campaigns, and policy interventions. The large amount of air quality data generated by the project will provide each city with sufficient information to guide citizens in choosing healthier transportation options to minimize their exposure to air pollution. MASSEV will enhance public awareness of air quality by launching public awareness campaigns and introducing the MASSEV App. This project will provide the public with up-to-date information on street-level air quality, empowering them to make informed decisions and take actions to reduce their exposure, thus improving their overall health and wellbeing. Collaboration with key stakeholders will yield toolkits and data models for evidence-based urban planning, supporting the advancement of sustainable developments. This project is funded through the international call SDG Pilot Call, a collaboration between 11 funding agencies from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin-America. The aim of the call is to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, through the implementation of results from ongoing or recently finalised research and innovation projects to advance knowledge-based achievement of the SDGs, from local to regional scale.