Urban areas worldwide face the dual challenge of managing stormwater runoff and mitigating the urban heat island effect. Traditional impermeable pavements exacerbate these issues by preventing natural water infiltration, leading to increased flooding and elevated surface temperatures. Porous pavement, also known as pervious or permeable pavement, offers a sustainable solution to these urban problems by allowing water to permeate through its surface, thereby reducing runoff and cooling the urban environment.
Porous pavement is a specially designed surface composed of materials such as porous asphalt, pervious concrete, or interlocking pavers. Unlike conventional pavement, it features interconnected void spaces that enable water to pass through and be absorbed by the underlying soil. This technology works by capturing rainwater on its surface, which then filters through the pavement layers, trapping pollutants and recharging groundwater. The absorbed water is gradually released into the ground, mimicking the natural hydrological cycle disrupted by urban development.
As urban areas continue to expand and face the challenges posed by climate change, including more frequent and severe weather events, innovative solutions like porous pavement are crucial for building resilient and sustainable urban infrastructures. By integrating this technology into city planning and development, municipalities can not only manage stormwater more effectively but also enhance the overall quality of urban life, ensuring cities remain habitable and environmentally friendly for future generations.
Global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions.
United States · Company
Manufacturer of a pour-in-place permeable paving material made from recycled rubber chips and stone aggregate.
Chemical giant producing Elastopave, a polyurethane binder system for stable, water-permeable stone surfaces.
United States · Company
Leading provider of residential and commercial pavers, offering a specific line of Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers (PICP).
One of the world's largest building materials companies.
United States · Company
Creators of Grasspave2 and Gravelpave2, porous paving systems that allow water infiltration while supporting vehicle loads.
United States · Company
Manufacturer of 100% recycled plastic permeable grid pavers for gravel or grass reinforcement.
Canada · Company
Manufacturer of paving stones and retaining walls, with a specialized range of permeable paver products.
Paper
A Field-Scale Assessment of the Impact of Conventional and Permeable Concrete Pavements on Surface and Air TemperaturesEnvironments · Jun 7, 2025
Field-scale assessment comparing surface and air temperatures above conventional versus permeable concrete pavements, addressing the urban heat island mitigation aspect of the technology.
Article
Benefits of Permeable Paving in Green Infrastructure: A Sustainable Approach to Stormwater ManagementEnvironmental Studies (EVS) Institute · Dec 25, 2025
Article outlining the role of permeable paving in green infrastructure, citing examples from Tokyo, Melbourne, and Portland, and discussing benefits for aquifer replenishment and heat reduction.
Article
Soak Up the Rain: Permeable Pavementepa.gov
Alternatives to traditional pavement on our paved surfaces can help reduce runoff by infiltrating rain water and melting snow. These alternative materials which include pervious asphalt, pervious concrete, interlocking pavers, and plastic grid pavers, allow rain and snowmelt to seep through the surface down to underlying layers of soil and gravel. In addition to reducing the runoff from the rain that falls on them, permeable pavements can help filter out pollutants that contribute to water pollution. Permeable pavements can also reduce the need for road salt and reduce construction costs for residential and commercial development by reducing the need for some conventional drainage features.
Article
Water-permeable pavementsurbangreenbluegrids.com
Water-permeable pavements are porous or laid to allow voids, have an open structure, or are made of partially pervious materials. They allow water to pass through or around them into the soil. This has various advantages: rainwater can infiltrate into the ground, groundwater is replenished, and sewerage systems are relieved.
Article
Evaluating the potential benefits of permeable pavement on the quantity and quality of stormwater runoffusgs.gov
Permeable pavement is a porous urban surface which catches precipitation and surface runoff, storing it in the reservoir while slowly allowing it to infiltrate into the soil below. This study will evaluate how well different types of permeable pavement reduces the amount of pollutants and runoff volume.
Article
Permeable Pavement: The Pros And Cons You Need To Knowgreenblue.com
Permeable pavement is a pavement type with a porous surface that is composed of concrete, open pore pavers or asphalt with an underlying stone reservoir. Also considered as green pavement, it allows water to run through it rather than accumulate on it or run off of it. The precipitation and water get stored in the reservoir from where it slowly infiltrates the soil below or is drained via a drain tile. The stone or gravel acts as a natural filter and clears the water of pollutants.
Article
Permeable Pavements Guide: Types, Benefits, Design, Maintenanceurban-water.co.uk
What is permeable paving? What are the types, benefits, and disadvantages of using permeable pavement construction? What are some of its design and maintenance aspects? What is the cost associated with it? If you are wondering the same, read on for answers to the above questions.
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