The Impact of High-Rise Buildings on Air Pollution: A Descriptive-Analytical Review with Emphasis on Indoor Air Quality

High-rise buildings, emblematic of rapid urbanization in cities such as Dubai, simultaneously offer efficient land utilization and introduce significant challenges to air quality management. This descriptive-analytical review examines the dual influence of tall structures on air pollution, addressing both outdoor pollutant dispersion patterns and indoor air quality (IAQ) degradation under hot desert climatic conditions. Descriptively, the paper illustrates how clusters of high-rise buildings form urban street canyons that restrict natural ventilation, trap traffic- and construction-related pollutants at street level, and modify local microclimatic flows, thereby elevating ambient pollution concentrations near building façades. Concurrently, in the Dubai context, high-rises frequently intensify indoor pollution due to enhanced building airtightness, volatile organic compound (VOC) and formaldehyde off-gassing from interior finishing materials, and restricted natural ventilation, often resulting in higher pollutant levels on upper floors compared to lower levels. Analytically, the review evaluates mitigation approaches including eco-friendly building materials, adsorbent technologies, air-purifying plants, advanced mechanical ventilation systems, and photocatalytic surfaces supported by empirical evidence from UAE-based research. The findings demonstrate that, although high-rise developments can create localized pollution hotspots, the adoption of integrated green building strategies and targeted urban policies can substantially enhance both indoor and outdoor air quality. This study offers practical recommendations for sustainable high-density urban planning in arid environments like Dubai, underscoring the necessity of balanced architectural and environmental design to protect public health.

کلیدواژه ها:

High-rise buildings ، Air pollution ، Indoor air quality (IAQ) ، Urban street canyons ، Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)