POROUS PAVEMENTS IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN CONCERNS

Hydrology explores a cycle that entails the transport and storage of water. However, this system of transport and, or storage can be significantly impacted by urbanization. Typically, urban drainage design is intended to create habitable spaces that are typically extensively paved surfaces that have the potential to generate significant run-off. One solution that has been extensively explored is the use of porous pavements to mitigate sustainability concerns posed by urban hydrology. The current paper provides a literature review of sustainable development initiatives, including Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), Low Impact Development (LID), Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD). Specifically, the review explores how these approaches have interrogated the use of porous pavements in their strategies. The review found that the three concepts, SUDS, LIDS, and WSUD, have a significant convergence, especially regarding porous pavements. The review noted that SUDS employs strategies to promote groundwater recharge and reduce flooding, LID advocates for mimicking the natural environment by attempting to preserve the pre-development hydrograph. WSUDS encompasses a range of strategies, including LID, and sometimes SUDS, that are intended to restore water balance in urbanized spaces. All these strategies were partly based on the need to reconsider improving the infiltration of urban surfaces. The case meant considering various forms of porous pavements.