Better Pavement Could Help Cool Cities

"Engineers and scientists are looking into a new generation of paving materials and technologies to reduce the impact of the urban heat island. This includes new mixtures and surface treatments that can reduce surface temperatures.

One practical option available right now is the use of pervious - or porous - pavements. Pervious pavements can be designed and constructed using either portland cement or asphalt concrete materials. Such a surface was constructed earlier this year in the parking lot outside ASU's Nelson Fine Arts Center in Tempe.

Pervious pavements contain less sand and greater porosity, which allows air and water to pass through its surface. This design provides a more-efficient platform to incorporate shade-bearing trees into parking and pedestrian pavements while minimizing the amount of land needed to construct parking lots."