MANILA, Philippines – Cities expert Anna Mae Lamentillo has urged the widespread adoption of permeable pavements across Philippine cities. She highlighted their vital role in reducing flooding, enhancing water management, and cooling urban environments amid the country’s shifting climate.
At a recent infrastructure and climate resilience forum, experts and local leaders emphasized how permeable pavements across Philippine cities can transform urban landscapes. Lamentillo noted the urgent need to rethink traditional road and sidewalk designs to better adapt to climate change challenges.
Understanding Permeable Pavements
Permeable pavements are constructed from materials like porous asphalt, pervious concrete, or interlocking pavers. These surfaces allow rainwater to infiltrate through, replenishing the soil and reducing runoff. Officials reported that this approach prevents the overwhelming of drainage systems, a common cause of urban floods.
“Every time we lay down impermeable concrete, we are essentially sealing the ground and forcing rainwater into already overburdened drainage systems. Permeable pavements allow the soil to breathe, absorb, and store water—turning roads into part of the solution instead of the problem,” Lamentillo said.
Reducing Flood Risks and Recharging Aquifers
Community members noted that Metro Manila alone suffers billions of pesos in flood-related damages annually. By integrating permeable pavements across Philippine cities, water runoff decreases significantly, which helps prevent floods in vulnerable neighborhoods.
Moreover, these pavements contribute to groundwater recharge, an essential factor for water security during dry months. “Imagine if we could reduce that risk while simultaneously replenishing our water tables,” Lamentillo added, underscoring the dual benefits of this technology.
Cooling Cities and Combating Heat Islands
Urban heat islands pose another challenge in Philippine cities. Traditional asphalt traps heat, raising temperatures and increasing energy consumption for cooling. Local experts highlighted that permeable pavements across Philippine cities encourage natural evaporation, which cools surfaces and reduces ambient heat.
“Cooler streets don’t just mean more comfortable walking conditions. It also means less reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems, which helps lower greenhouse gas emissions,” Lamentillo explained. This benefit supports broader climate goals and improves residents’ quality of life.
Policy Integration and Pilot Projects
Lamentillo urged government agencies at both local and national levels to embed permeable pavement technology into urban planning standards. She recommended prioritizing new roads, parking areas, and public spaces for these materials.
She also proposed launching pilot projects in flood-prone barangays and fostering public-private partnerships to speed up adoption. “Climate adaptation is not optional—it’s survival. Every infrastructure project we build today must be designed for the climate realities of tomorrow,” she concluded.
Environmental groups have welcomed this call, citing successful implementations of permeable pavements in cities across Japan, the United States, and Europe. These projects have led to notable reductions in flooding and surface temperatures, demonstrating the technology’s effectiveness.
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