New research leads European cities to tackle pollution from a social perspective
Air and noise pollution remain major health risks in Europe. The EU has estimated that exposure to excessive levels of pollutants such as PM2.5, NO₂ and O₃, caused 357,000 deaths in 2022, while long-term noise exposure leads to 48,000 new heart disease cases and around 12,000 premature deaths every year. These harms are not evenly distributed: cultural and socioeconomic factors influence who is exposed and who is most vulnerable.
The ATMOPOLIS project is coordinated by Tampere University with Tampere as a key pilot city. The consortium consists of 14 partners across Europe. The multidisciplinary research team will collect environmental and community data in five cities – London (UK), Łódź (Poland), Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Podgorica (Montenegro), and Tampere (Finland) – to understand how air and noise pollution interact with carbon emissions, and to co‑create solutions with citizens and cities. This perspective aims to help cities implement tailored measures that are not only effective but also socially acceptable.
“Air pollution is the single greatest environmental health threat in the EU, and noise pollution the third. ATMOPOLIS will identify the measures that can be taken to reduce exposure and negative health impacts as much as possible, while also considering co-benefits for the climate. By working with cities and citizens, we will work to support action to implement these measures using both top-down policy and bottom-up behavioural change and awareness,” states Jonathon Taylor, project coordinator and Associate Professor at Tampere University.
Empowering communities to drive change
Alongside environmental measurements, ATMOPOLIS will draw on community‑reported noise data and personal experiences to capture how pollution affects different population groups. Methods such as photovoice will document residents’ perceptions through stories and images, revealing how people view their own exposure and their role in reducing emissions.
“Using a ‘show and tell’ style of sharing photos and stories enables us to gain a better understanding of the everyday experiences of vulnerable social groups. This deeper awareness can support the creation of fair and effective actions to reduce pollution”, notes University Lecturer Salla Jokela, who will lead photovoice research in Tampere.
The researchers will use this knowledge to create outreach materials that raise awareness, support behavioral change and empower citizens to call for cleaner, healthier cities.
“People and communities play a vital role in reducing pollution – something which is missed by purely technological solutions. By understanding exposures, impacts, and opportunities for action at citizen, community, and city administration levels, we can identify pathways to achieve ambitious pollution reduction goals," remarks Jonathon Taylor.
About ATMOPOLIS
- “ATMOPOLIS – Air and noise pollution mitigation through integrated, society-centered actions” started in January 2026 and will continue for four years.
- With an approximate budget of €5 million, the project is funded under the Horizon Europe call “Zero-Pollution Cities”, contributing to the objectives of the EU Mission “Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities 2030”.
- The consortium consists of 14 partners across Europe.
- The role of Tampere University is to integrate environmental modelling, health impact assessment and social sciences to address air and noise pollution and their links to carbon emissions.
- Citizen participation and collaboration with cities across Europe will support the development of effective, socially acceptable and cost-effective pollution mitigation strategies.
- ATMOPOLIS will create an integrated tool that allows cities to test different mitigation policies to understand their impact on pollution, health, and carbon emissions, and their economic costs.
Further information
Jonathon Taylor, Project Coordinator, Tampere University
jonathon.taylor [at] tuni.fi (jonathon[dot]taylor[at]tuni[dot]fi)
Anna Molinet, Communications Officer, Scienseed
anna.molinet [at] scienseed.com
