A Visual Analytic Tool For Assessment Of Urban Air Quality In Developing Countries (Nairobi, Kenya)

Abstract

Air pollution is considered very crucial in people’s health and comfort and is brought by fine particles in the air. The fine particles in the air are directly associated with many health issues to mankind including eye diseases, respiratory and heart problems as well as environmental degradation. In order to control air pollution, access to information about pollution in the air is very important. Mobile applications are best suited to disseminate this information because of their wide use. Aim of the study therefore was to develop a visual analytic tool that can provide timely information about air pollution at different locations. The study was guided by the following objectives: to investigate how a mobile phone based application may be used to assess air quality to create awareness to members of public; to design and develop mobile based visual analytic tool for assessment of urban air quality and test the visual analytic tool. After requirement analysis, the study found out that mobile phones are best suited to disseminate information effectively to a large population. The study employed Unified Data modelling language and adopted evolutionary prototyping approach because it results in the gradual development of systems. The presented system consists of stationary sensor devices measuring pollutants in the air. Periodically, the measurements are uploaded directly to a server, processed and then are made available for all registered users using smart phones through the developed visual analytic tool. The study recommends that the tool be adopted for use and there is need to intensively create awareness on dangers of air pollution to members of public.