In this book, experts in atmospheric sciences, human health, economics, social and political sciences contribute to an integrated assessment of the complex elements needed to structure air quality policy in the 21st century. The analysis is developed through a case study of the Mexico City Metropolitan Area - one of the world's largest megacities in which air pollution grew unchecked for decades. The international research team is led by Luisa T. and Mario J. Molina, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry. Improvements in Mexico City's air quality in the last decade testifies to the power of determined and enlightened policy making, and throws into relief the tough problems that remain to be solved. The volume's first six chapters, including the contributions of over 50 distinguished scholars from Mexico and the US, outline the fundamental areas of knowledge policy makers must accommodate. The message is that only good science and well-chosen technologies can direct the way to corrective regulatory measures; but without strong commitment from government, no amount of science or technology can help.

At present, roughly half of the world's population lives in urban centers. There are now more than 20 cities with a population of over 10 million inhabitants, compared to less than 5 about 50 years ago. This tendency toward urbanization is expected to continue, particularly in the developing world. A consequence of this growing trend is that millions of people are being exposed to harmful levels of urban air pollutants caused mainly by emissions from motor vehicles and from industrial and domestic activities involving the combustion of fossil fuels. The driving force for the design and implementation of emission control strate gies aimed at improving air quality has been the protection of the health of the population in urban centers. There are, however, other consequences of the pres ence of air pollutants besides the direct effect on human health. Reduced visibil ity, damage to monuments and buildings, and many other such consequences indirectly affect our quality of life. Another set of consequences involves damage to ecological systems. In fact, the nature of "photochemical smog" was first uncovered in the 1950s in connection with observations of its harmful effects on crops and plants in the vicinity of Los Angeles.

The steady growth in the number of vehicles on the road, heavy reliance on coal, use of dirty fuels for residential combustion, and extensive open burning are some of the major factors leading to the progressive deterioration of air quality in developing countries in Asia. And despite efforts to establish and implement air quality measurement syste

This book identifies air pollution in megacity areas as a serious environmental issue that calls for prompt countermeasures. The first book to compare air pollution in Mexican megacities to those in Japan, it examines air pollution trends for the past 50 years, mainly focusing on Mexico and Japan, but also including data from the US and China. It consists of 3 sections, discussing 1) air pollutants and formation mechanisms; 2) air pollution trends and contributing factors; and 3) Characteristics of air pollution in three Mexican Megacity Areas – Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. It also proposes co-beneficial countermeasure scenarios that can effectively improve regional and global atmospheric environmental conditions. Helping readers to understand air pollution formation mechanisms and countermeasure scenarios that are effective at both regional and global scales, the book appeals to researchers and graduate students in the field of atmospheric environmental science, as well as undergraduate science, engineering and social sciences students, and environmental administrative officers and anyone interested in our atmospheric environment.

This book describes and analyzes a wealth of data about Mexico Citys growth, change, and spatial patterns. Applying modern techniques of geographic information systems and cluster analysis, the authors reveal many previously unknown or unrecognized trends and patterns. The authors provide historical background, analyze key findings and relationships, and tie their results to the literature on Mexico City and other giant cities. The United Nations predicts the emergence of many more giant cities worldwide over the next quarter century, most of which will appear in the developing world. Mexico Megacity may be a milestone from a comparative perspective in increasing knowledge about one developing world megacity and offering analytical tools to study others. With a population of 15 million persons in 1990, Mexico City is one of the worlds largest cities. It is a famous center of civilizations and culture and one of the economic capitals of the Americas, but it also has serious social and economic problems, including large impoverished zones, severe environmental degradation, crime, and overpopulation. This book describes and analyzes growth, change, and spatial patterns in Mexico City, looking at urbanization, population, marriage and fertility, health and mortality, migration, environment and housing, social characteristics, the economy, labor force, and corporate structure. Applying modern techniques of geographic information systems and spatial analysis, the authors reveal many previously unknown or unrecognized trends and patterns. In a capstone chapter, they summarize the spatial patterns in a series of cluster analyses that identify distinctive zones within the metropolisa prosperous core, surrounding complex ring patterns, an impoverished zone, and semi-rural arms. They also compare the pattern of Mexico Citys cluster zones to the classical and developmental literature on cities. In closing, the authors suggest government policies that would foster optimal future development of an even larger metropolis. This book addresses a topic of growing importance. The United Nations predicts the emergence of many more giant cities worldwide over the next quarter century, most of which will appear in the developing world. Mexico Megacity is a milestone work that increases our knowledge about one developing world megacity while offering analytical tools for studying others.