Nature-Based Cool Pavement Systems for Climate-Resilient Urban Environments
Global warming has intensified the frequency and severity of heat waves, posing serious challenges to urban environments worldwide. Traditional pavements, known for their high heat absorption and retention, exacerbate urban heat stress and contribute to severe thermal discomfort and material deterioration. To address these pressing issues, innovative sustainable solutions are being explored. This study introduces a novel nature-based cold pavement system that utilizes subsurface naturally cooled water to reduce surface temperatures through conduction. The approach is designed to enhance thermal comfort and safety in outdoor urban areas, particularly in hot climates, without depending on evaporative cooling or water consumption. The Challenge of Urban Heat and Pavement Thermal Stress Urban surfaces, especially pavements, act as heat sinks that intensify local temperatures, aggravating the urban heat island effect. During extreme summer conditions, surface temperatures can exceed saf...