A significant improvement in urban climate can be brought about by reductions in emissions and their associated air pollution. Concepts for traffic planning and energy provision at the municipal level are especially suited for influencing pollution emissions.

At the other end of the causal chain of "emission (release) – transmission (dispersal) – immission (effect or influence)", a proper planning reaction to recognized and accurately evaluated immissions situations can reduce the extent of their effects.

The third pillar of planning-related air pollution controls relates to the link between emissions and immissions: The temporal and spatial variation in air pollution for a given pollution source depends upon the meteorological conditions that influence dispersal. To what extent the built environment exerts an influence here is dealt with in Chapter 2. The consideration of dispersal climatology is not only necessary in relation to proper choices of location for industrial development, but also for other emitting land uses such as garbage incinerators, trash dumps, water purification plants, and for the construction of new roads. Special location decisions are essential for facilities particularly sensitive to immissions (e.g. hospitals, swimming pools, recreational areas, elderly homes).