Why are permeable surfaces important in urban stormwater management?
In urban areas, increasing built-up areas and paved surfaces have led to a significant reduction in natural run-off of rainwater. Asphalt, concrete and other impermeable pavements prevent precipitation from seeping into the ground, so it runs off quickly, putting pressure on the sewer system and often causing flooding. This is why the use of permeable surfaces is of paramount importance to address the challenges of urban stormwater management.
Why are permeable surfaces useful?
Permeable pavements, such as gravel parking lots, green roofs or special porous pavements, allow precipitation to drain away naturally. These solutions help to get water into the ground, where it recharges local water supplies, while reducing pressure on the sewerage network. Slower run-off reduces the risk of flooding, while also reducing water pollution, as pollutants have more time to filter through soil or vegetation.
How can we retain rainfall?
Gravel parking lots offer a particularly effective solution: the vegetated gravel bed is not only permeable, but also an aesthetic and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional concrete parking lots. Porous pavements work in a similar way, draining water into the soil through tiny gaps. And green roofs can retain a significant proportion of the rain that falls on roofs, while cooling buildings and improving air quality.
Permeable surfaces not only help to manage stormwater, but also provide a number of other benefits. They improve the urban microclimate, reduce the heat island effect and increase the proportion of green space in cities, making the environment more liveable and healthier. They also help to maintain the local water balance in the long term by recharging groundwater.
The “Save the Rain” campaign aims to promote these solutions and encourage people to adopt sustainable water management techniques in their own environment. Together, we can make our cities more resilient to the impacts of climate change while preserving our natural resources.
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