Strategies to reduce air pollution emissions from urban residential buildings

As cities continue to grow, developing mitigation strategies is crucial to minimize the corresponding increase in air pollutants. One source of potentially controllable air pollution is the emissions from residential buildings. We conducted a literature review to systematically examine air pollution emissions from residential buildings in urban areas, identifying pollutants and their sources; investigated mitigation-aimed intervention types by field of application or study, and finally listed and discussed strategies to reduce the concentration of air pollutants in residential buildings. Our compilation shows that among the nature-based solutions, green walls offered the highest relative reduction of air pollution (−15 % NO 2 and −23 % PM 10 ). Of the construction-based solutions, already-available photocatalytic paint can achieve reductions of 25 % NO, 23 % NO x and 19 % NO 2 as is. Industrial-based solutions promise high levels of reduction, but these must be adapted to residential buildings. The integration of various existing and potentially adapted mitigation solutions may achieve even higher pollution reduction rates in urban areas. • Emissions from residential buildings are insufficiently quantified. • Implementation of pollution reduction solutions will require stringent regulations. • Integrated air pollution reduction strategies may achieve better results. • Nature-based solutions promise to reduce air pollution levels. • Use of specialized filters in HVAC and portable equipment can be counterproductive.