Evaluating the Relationship Between Indoor Air Quality and Landscape Features in School Environments

Abstract

Indoor air quality in schools is a fundamental component of a healthy indoor environment and significantly impacts students' health and well-being. Indoor air quality in schools stems from chemical pollutants, dust particles, and biological contaminants (bacteria, fungi, and viruses). Considering the effects of poor air quality in classrooms on the cognitive performance, health status, and overall learning experience of teachers and students, researching indoor air quality in schools and taking the necessary improvement measures is a critical requirement. It is well known that, in addition to measures taken within school buildings to improve indoor air quality, the landscaping areas belonging to schools also hold strategic importance. Indeed, outdoor environmental characteristics (physical factors such as plant design, shading elements, microclimate conditions, and airflow patterns) play a decisive role in shaping indoor air quality. In this context, improving the design of school outdoor spaces not only strengthens environmental sustainability but also contributes to creating a healthier and higher-quality indoor atmosphere in educational buildings.This study focuses on the effectiveness of landscape designs in reducing the negative effects of indoor air pollution by examining the changes in indoor air quality and the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the components affecting indoor air quality, in 10 different secondary schools selected as a sample in the city center of Isparta, along with relative humidity and temperature measurements. The study also found a significant relationship between air quality and the overall physical condition of the environment. This relationship is based on both statistical analyses and observational assessments. The research revealed that environmental design and physical environment quality affect not only outdoor but also indoor air quality. The findings highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach to create healthy school environments.