Modelling Environmental Equity

Access to Air Quality in Birmingham, England

Bibliographic Data

ID4142973
AuthorsJulii S Brainard (Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, England, and University College, London WC1 6BT, England), Julii Brainard (0000-0002-5272-7995, University of East Anglia, corresponding author), Andy Jones (0000-0002-3130-9313, University of East Anglia, corresponding author), Andrew P Jones (0000-0002-8051-4583, Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, England, and University College, London WC1 6BT, England), Ian J Bateman (0000-0002-2791-6137, Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, England, and University College, London WC1 6BT, England, corresponding author), Andrew A Lovett (Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, England, and University College, London WC1 6BT, England), Andrew Lovett (0000-0003-0554-9273, University of East Anglia, corresponding author), Peter J Fallon (Birmingham City Council, Environmental Protection Unit, PO Box 5248, 581 Tyburn Road, Birmingham B24 9RF, England, corresponding author)
Year2002
Volume34
Issue4
Pages695-716
Publication date2002-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEnvironment and Planning A Economy and Space (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0308-518X • E-ISSN: 1472-3409
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1068/a34184
OpenAlexW2150945953
LanguageEN
Citations received45
References cited26

Many studies in the USA have noted inequities with regard to the socioeconomic status or racial character of communities and their relative exposure to environmental disamenities. In this paper the authors focus particularly on the environmental equity of air pollution in the English city of Birmingham. Using statistical methodologies they examine the pattern of exposure to two key air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) across certain population groups in the city. Estimated emission levels of CO and NO2 were mapped by using modelled associations between vehicle densities and measured emissions at existing monitoring stations. These data were input to a geographical information system (GIS) for subsequent comparisons with population maps. Three types of variables were considered to distinguish possibly disadvantaged populations: age profile, ethnic make-up, and poverty indicators. From the 1991 Census, relevant statistics were derived for each enumeration district in the city. No relationship could be established on the age variable (that is, neither children nor pensioners appear to differ from the general population in their likely exposure patterns). However, there was a striking relationship between modelled emissions and poverty indicators and ethnicity. The effects are difficult to separate out but there is strong evidence to suggest that the two factors (poverty and ethnicity) operate in an independent manner. The implications of these findings, with regard to the causes of the disparities and the likely impacts of possible efforts to improve air quality in Birmingham, are discussed

Air pollution · Air quality index · Census · Disadvantaged · Economic growth · Economics · Ethnic group · Geography · Political science · Population · Poverty · Socioeconomic status · Sociology · Air Quality and Health Impacts · Demography · Environmental Justice and Health Disparities · Urban Transport and Accessibility · Ecology

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