23 Jan Open Session Report from the Democritus University of Thrace

Urban Air Pollution and Citizen Science: The Case of MI-TRAP

Introduction

On 13 December 2024, an open session titled “Urban Air Pollution and Citizen Science: The Case of MI-TRAP“ was held at the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment, Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH) in the city of Drama. Organised as part of the Urban Ecology course led by Dr Giorgos Chatzinakos, the session examined the innovative methodologies and collaborative frameworks employed by the MI-TRAP project to address urban air pollution. With a focus on Citizen Science and local community engagement, the event emphasised the importance of participatory approaches in shaping effective air quality policies and fostering more sustainable urban environments. 

Scientists from Amaranthus and Demokritos actively contributed to the session, offering critical insights into how transport-related emissions degrade air quality in European cities. Long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM), often exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, poses significant public health risks and diminishes the quality of urban life. Tackling these challenges requires not only technological advancements but also empowering communities to engage actively in pollution mitigation.

Session Overview

The session commenced with a welcome address by Professor Giannis Adamos, who highlighted the significance of air quality within the broader framework of urban ecology. Professor Adamos underscored the implications of air pollution on public health and connected these issues to the EU’s Zero Pollution Plan, emphasising the plan’s relevance in shaping urban environmental policies. This introduction provided the contextual grounding for the presentations that followed.

Dr Giorgos Chatzinakos and Dr Manos Manousakas introduced the MI-TRAP project, elaborating on its objectives and innovative methodologies. Dr Chatzinakos outlined the project’s goals and City Pilots, focusing on sustainable urban development and the integration of advanced technologies into air-quality monitoring. Dr Manousakas delved deeper into the technical aspects of the project, explaining the methodologies for identifying pollution sources and emphasising the importance of particulate pollution in urban areas. Their presentations underscored the need for evidence-based policymaking and interdisciplinary collaboration to address air quality challenges.

Moving from the technical and technological standpoint to participatory practices, Georgia Tseva introduced the concept of Citizen Science. She outlined its applications and benefits, offering examples of successful initiatives across Europe. Her presentation demonstrated how Citizen Science empowers individuals and communities to collect data, influence policy, and assume collective responsibility for environmental challenges. This segment resonated strongly with the audience and set the foundation for the interactive discussions that followed.

The session culminated in an interactive segment facilitated by Argyris Balatsoukas, Ioanna Tyligada and Giorgos Chatzinakos. Structured into three discussion cycles, this part of the event encouraged students to collaboratively reflect on urban air pollution challenges, propose actionable solutions, and explore strategies for fostering effective partnerships between citizens, stakeholders, and policymakers. These discussions not only enriched the dialogue but also underscored the importance of local perspectives in addressing environmental issues. Concluding the session, an interactive survey conducted via the Menti platform captured participants’ real-time feedback, providing additional insights into air quality perceptions of the student community in Drama. The event concluded with expressions of heartfelt gratitude to the students for their active engagement and to DUTH for hosting the event. Collectively, the session served as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the development of actionable strategies to address urban air pollution, aligning seamlessly with the objectives of the MI-TRAP project.

Key Discussions and Insights

Identifying Urban Air Pollution Sources

In the first discussion cycle, participants explored the primary sources of urban air pollution. Key contributors identified included traffic congestion, industrial emissions, residential heating, and port-related activities. In some cases, participants cited more localized sources, such as dust from quarries and emissions from building activities. The discussion revealed differing perspectives on the categorisation of natural versus anthropogenic pollution. Some participants argued that natural phenomena should not be considered harmful pollutants, given their pre-human existence. However, consensus centred on the significance of anthropogenic sources as they are directly linked to human intervention and potential mitigation measures. Participants also highlighted how the fast pace of urban life diminishes public awareness of pollution, with many failing to notice odours or visible signs of pollution due to their preoccupation with daily routines.

Citizen Engagement and Improving Air Quality in Cities

The second discussion cycle focused on how citizens can actively contribute to air quality improvement. Participants emphasised promoting alternative modes of transport, such as cycling, walking, and public transit, to reduce dependency on cars. Education emerged as a crucial tool for raising awareness and encouraging behavioural change in mobility cultures. However, socio-economic challenges were also acknowledged, particularly for vulnerable groups reliant on cost-effective but polluting practices, such as wood-burning for heating. This led to discussions about designing equitable solutions that do not disproportionately burden disadvantaged communities. Participants also explored the role of collective action in fostering a culture of responsibility, highlighting the need for both individual and systemic efforts to transform consumption patterns and energy usage.

Collaborative Strategies for Air Quality Solutions

The third discussion cycle examined collaboration between citizens, stakeholders, and local governments. Participants underscored the importance of public education initiatives targeting younger generations and proposed the use of participatory platforms to facilitate dialogue and encourage citizen-driven solutions. Challenges such as the reluctance of public authorities to collaborate—often due to financial interests or lack of expertise—were also raised. Grassroots initiatives and community-driven advocacy were identified as essential mechanisms for holding stakeholders accountable and driving meaningful policy implementation. Participants further stressed the importance of addressing systemic issues, such as knowledge gaps among policymakers and superficial efforts that fail to address root causes.

Interactive Survey: Insights from the Menti Platform

The session concluded with an interactive survey conducted via the Menti platform, titled “We Breathe Drama: How Does City Air Affect Our Everyday Life?” This survey provided real-time feedback from participants and offered valuable insights into local perceptions of air quality in Drama. Below are the survey questions and a summary of the participants’ responses:

1. Does air quality in Drama affect your daily life?

Most participants acknowledged that air quality either moderately or significantly impacts their daily lives. This response underscores the relevance of air quality issues to the local community and the importance of addressing them comprehensively.

2. How would you describe the air quality in Drama?

Most respondents rated the air quality as either “good” or “moderate.” This indicates a general awareness of air quality challenges, while also reflecting varied perceptions of its severity among participants.

3. What are the primary sources of pollution in Drama?

The survey identified residential heating as the dominant source of pollution, followed by traffic congestion. Industrial emissions and agricultural activities were notably absent from participants’ concerns, emphasising the localised and specific nature of pollution in Drama.

4. How informed do you feel about air quality in Drama?

A significant gap in awareness was revealed, with most participants feeling only “a little” or “somewhat” informed. This reveals the need for more robust communication strategies to educate the public about air quality issues and their impacts.

5. How important is it for local communities to monitor air quality?

An overwhelming majority of respondents stressed the importance of community-led air quality monitoring, demonstrating strong support for participatory approaches such as Citizen Science. This finding emphasises the value of empowering local communities to take an active role in addressing pollution.

6. Do you believe the Zero Pollution Plan can be effectively implemented in Drama?

Opinions were divided, with 56% expressing skepticism about the plan’s feasibility in the local context. This suggests a need to identify and address barriers to implementation while fostering greater trust and buy-in from the community.

7. If you were the mayor of Drama, what would be your first measure to reduce air pollution within the Zero Pollution Plan framework?

Participants proposed various measures, including:

• Increasing public awareness and education on air pollution.
• Reducing traffic congestion and promoting alternative transportation options, such as cycling and public transit.
• Expanding urban green spaces and improving municipal services, including water management and heating systems.

8. What percentage of EU CO₂ emissions originate from road transport?

This awareness-raising question revealed a gap in knowledge, as only a few participants correctly identified the figure of 72%. The result highlights the importance of public education on the contribution of transport emissions to overall pollution levels.

The insights gathered from the survey will help shape future actions within the MI-TRAP framework, ensuring that local voices and perspectives are central to air quality initiatives.

Conclusion

The open session provided an in-depth exploration of the complexities of urban air pollution and the transformative potential of Citizen Science and the technological and technical innovations within MI-TRAP. Through engaging presentations, dynamic discussions, and an innovative survey, the event facilitated a comprehensive dialogue on the intersection of science, policy, and community action, offering valuable insights into the challenges, opportunities, and collaborative strategies for improving urban air quality.

The session highlighted the importance of understanding localised pollution sources, such as residential heating and traffic congestion, while emphasising the need for equitable solutions tailored to the needs of vulnerable populations. Participants stressed the critical role of public awareness, education, and collaboration between citizens, stakeholders, and local authorities in addressing air quality challenges. Challenges, including institutional reluctance, systemic knowledge gaps, and socio-economic barriers, were candidly discussed, reflecting the complexity of achieving sustainable improvements.

Finally, the session showcased how Citizen Science can empower communities to actively engage in designing and implementing solutions. By integrating scientific data with community perspectives, the MI-TRAP project exemplifies the potential of participatory processes to bridge the gap between research and policy, paving the way for cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable urban environments.