The concept of Green Roads offers a transformative approach to urban and rural infrastructure, addressing the critical issues of water management, climate resilience, and ecological conservation. This technology integrates water management techniques directly into road design, transforming traditional roadways into multifunctional assets that can capture, store, and distribute water effectively.
Green Roads solve multiple problems simultaneously. They mitigate flooding by directing rainwater away from roads and into designated catchment areas, such as irrigation ditches and retention ponds. This reduces the burden on urban drainage systems and decreases the risk of waterlogging. Furthermore, these roads help combat drought by capturing and storing rainwater, which can then be used to irrigate nearby agricultural fields, enhancing crop yields and supporting local food security.
Urban areas worldwide are grappling with the dual challenges of increasing precipitation and ageing infrastructure. Green Roads offer a sustainable solution that reduces the incidence of urban flooding and enhances water availability. Simple infrastructure adaptations, such as the installation of crossbars to guide water off the road or the conversion of gravel pits into rainwater collection points, allow roads to function as water management tools. By integrating natural water management processes into the built environment, Green Roads also contribute to urban cooling, reducing the urban heat island effect and promoting a more comfortable and healthy living environment.
Moreover, Green Roads align with broader green infrastructure initiatives, such as Rain Parks and Sponge Cities, which promote decentralised water management systems to tackle stormwater runoff and sewage overflows. As urban populations grow and climate change intensifies, the scalability and adaptability of Green Roads make them a critical component of resilient and sustainable urban planning.
United States · Government Agency
Pioneered the 'Green Street' program, installing bioswales and permeable pavement citywide.
Global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions.
United States · Government Agency
Implemented the Street Edge Alternatives (SEA Streets) project, redesigning residential streets for natural drainage.
DeepRoot Green Infrastructure
United States · Company
Manufactures Silva Cells, a suspended pavement system that supports traffic while providing soil volume for stormwater.
Netherlands · Company
Co-creator of 'PlasticRoad', a modular road system with hollow space for water storage and cabling.
United States · Nonprofit
Publishes the 'Urban Street Stormwater Guide', setting standards for designing green streets.
United Kingdom · Company
Provides urban drainage and tree pit systems that integrate into streetscapes to manage runoff.
Article
‘Green Roads’ Are Plowing Ahead, Buffering Drought and Floodse360.yale.edu
As the developing world witnesses a boom in road building, a movement to retrofit existing roads is gathering steam. Using embankments, channels, and dikes, so-called “green roads” help control floods, harvest excess water for use in irrigation, and slash maintenance costs.
Article
To Tackle Runoff, Cities Turn to Green Initiativese360.yale.edu
Urban stormwater runoff is a serious problem, overloading sewage treatment plants and polluting waterways. Now, various U.S. cities are creating innovative green infrastructure — such as rain gardens and roadside plantings — that mimics the way nature collects and cleanses water.
Article
The UN says climate-smart cities are the future – these 3 projects show their potentialweforum.org
Cities are sprawling and causing close to three-quarters of GHG emissions - while also suffering increasingly from the impact of climate change. Making cities more resilient is one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and requires sustained investment. Projects in Chile, Abu Dhabi and Mexico demonstrate that establishing ‘climate-smart’ infrastructure can pay off.
Article
Take the smart road to a connected, adaptable, eco-friendly futureautodesk.com
The future of road infrastructure is smart, connected, and adapted to both new forms of mobility and energy excellence.
Article
Sustainable road construction: current practices and future conceptsworldhighways.com
The road sector produces the highest level of greenhouse gas, directly, through fossil energy used in mining, transportation, paving works... and indirectly through the emissions coming from vehicles.
Article
Design Guidelines: Sustainable buildings in Urban contextre-thinkingthefuture.com
Buildings are an important part of urban fabric. One of the most important areas of intervention is the building and construction sector, which offers opportunities to reduce environmental impact while also contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals. This industry is expected to generate 5% to 10% of national employment and 5% to 15% of GDP. Furthermore, it provides housing, mobility, water, sanitary infrastructure, as well as the physical context for the social interactions and economic development at the microlevel. Several studies have also found a link between buildings and public health.
Article
THE GREEN ROADsaalbach.com
We are taking it one step at a time and without "greenwashing" or misleading phrases. We are approaching our goal of making Saalbach Hinterglemm even more sustainable in harmony with ecological and economic aspects in a transparent, self-critical, and authentic manner. On the "Green Path", we are sometimes moving more quickly and sometimes more slowly, but all the time is moving forward. Sometimes we may get caught in congestion, but we never lose sight of our goal. We are aware of our responsibility for humankind and nature. Many first steps have been made. We still have a long way to go on the Green Path: We are on our way.
