Ground Truth 2.0 at “Resistance is in the Air: Citizens, science and air pollution”
From 25-27 April 2019, Ground Truth 2.0 participated in the “Resistance is in the Air: Citizens, science and air pollution” symposium, which was part of the event “Les États Généraux de l’Air”. The Etats Generaux de l’Air de Bruxelles is an event combining a research symposium, a hackathon and a citizens’ day, with the objective of bringing together the different actors that are striving for cleaner air by providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration, and discuss visions and solutions to realise a healthier city. The event was attended by over 100 scientists, policy makers, NGO’s, environmental lawyers and citizens and took place in Brussels.
Ground Truth 2.0 was invited to attend the event in order present the Meet Mee Mechelen citizen observatory
Citizen science using airQmap as air quality monitoring tool: a case study in Mechelen
This presentation focused on the results of a mobile monitoring campaign performed by citizens in Mechelen, a study is part of the local citizen observatory Meet Mee Mechelen. Measurements were carried out by the volunteers of the CO using airQmap (www.airqmap.be) a user friendly monitoring tool developed by VITO to map black carbon (BC) at street level. Measurements were performed during morning and evening peak hours and in different seasons. Results show large spatial and temporal variability.
Beyond data collection on air quality: forging new relationships via the Meet Mee Mechelen citizen observatory
This presentation discussed the process (and lessons learned) of co-designing the Meet Mee Mechelen citizen observatory for air quality monitoring that has been set up in the city of Mechelen since 2017. Along the process of co-designing and implementing Meet Mee Mechelen, the interactions in the citizen observatory have served to build relationships among the involved citizens, city representatives and air quality experts. It has created a space for continuous dialogue and exposure to the other stakeholders’ views.
Both presentations were welcomed very positively by the audience. The presentation on the measurement results led to an interesting discussion on ensuring scientifically meaningful results obtained by citizens performing air quality measurements. The co-design presentation raised interest in the GT2.0 methodology, how it has been implemented and how it will be validated as part of the project.