Subproject TRAP45 Learning from Past Air Pollution Control Strategies in European Cities

Abstract

TRAP45 is dedicated to covering the historical dimensions of air pollution in a coordinated scientific effort which integrates both natural and social scientists. It is a strongly problem-oriented research project, aiming at a better understanding of the effectiveness not only of scientific but also of political responses to air pollution in the past. As an illustration, a case study on successful pollution reduction of the major pulp emitter in Switzerland (Cellulose Atthisholz AG) is presented. There is a number of small research projects underway, but they were all funded prior to TRAP45. Furthermore, the conference on the History of Aerosol Science was held in Vienna (1999). A new TRAP45 initiative in FRAMEWORK V will make a direct contribution to the ease of understanding and implementing the EC/96/62 directive and its daughter directives. It will provide tools, intellectual and real, to improve the ability to make decisions, in urban administration, about air pollution abatement in European cities. Examples of air pollution control strategies which proved to be successful in the past are presented for Berne, Switzerland’s capital.