Urban chemistry as a new discipline exploring chemical and chemico-biological aspects of urban environment

Abstract

Urban sciences can be divided into three directions: Natural, Humanities and Engineering. Within the fields of urban natural and urban engineering (technical) sciences, chemical and chemico-biological research take an important place. We propose using the new term "urban chemistry" (i.e. chemistry of the urban environment) focusing on the chemical aspects of the atmosphere, water bodies, and soil of cities. Urban chemistry is interconnected with urban ecology, toxicology and urban biology, and among the biological disciplines, it is particularly related to urban botany. Urban chemistry can be seen as a separate direction of urban natural sciences, which will significantly contribute to sustainable development of cities.