City Solutions Toolkit: Air quality modeling concepts and process

In this module, the basic principles and considerations in performing an air quality modeling is discussed, to guide the reader in understanding its advantages in air quality management. Further, it can help in making the necessary preparations for running an air quality model. Modeling is a method to give a representation of reality that is often difficult to understand. Models help in simplifying situations by integrating actual data with assumptions that best fit the context of the area under study. In the same way a picture is a representation of the subject, air quality modeling is a representation of what is happening to the air quality of an area. This document introduces modeling concepts and stages of performing this technique, to familiarize the reader on the advantages of this component of air quality management.