Work

Urban Sustainability Through Pavement Technologies: Reducing Urban Heat Islands with Cool Pavements

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Urban development driven by population growth and technological advancements has intensified urban heat islands (UHIs), contributing to environmental damage and health risks. This study explores the potential of cool pavements as a critical strategy for mitigating UHIs, focusing on reflective, evaporative, and energy-storing technologies. Over 400 reputable scientific articles were reviewed to analyze UHI causes; measurement methods, including remote sensing and laboratory techniques; and the effectiveness of various pavement solutions. Reflective pavements demonstrated a capacity to lower surface temperatures by 5–20 °C depending on reflectivity changes, while evaporative pavements reduced temperatures by 5–35 °C based on type and design. Advanced energy-storing pavements not only achieved a 3–5 °C temperature reduction but also generated renewable energy. This research provides a comprehensive classification of pavement cooling systems and evaluates their quantitative and qualitative benefits, emphasizing the transformative role of cool pavements in enhancing urban sustainability and reducing UHI effects.

Source: Buildings

DOI: 10.3390/buildings15030504

Authors: Mohammad Javad Amani, Rashid Tanzadeh, Fereidoon Moghadas Nejad, Mohammad Mohsen Kabiri Nasrabad, Jafar Chalabii, Majid Movahedi Rad

Institutions: Amirkabir University of Technology, Széchenyi István University

Language: English

Topic: Urban Heat Island Mitigation

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137