Review of the optimization techniques for cool pavements solutions to mitigate Urban Heat Islands

Abstract

Impermeable pavements in high-density cities are one of the main causes of the aggravation of the Urban Heat Islands (UHI) phenomenon. The transformation of impermeable pavements into cool pavements constitutes a promising and innovative technique for the mitigation of UHIs. This review paper treats the technique of cool pavements or evaporative pavements, firstly on the basis of the energy balance that occurs on the surface of such pavements, in the aim of identifying the different approaches that can be adopted to enhance the technique employed. Then, this work will place particular emphasis on the various factors and properties that help to optimize this technique, as well as on the effect that incorporating certain materials has on the properties mentioned, in order to expand perceptions in the design of cool pavements. The paper ends with the main criteria for durability of cooling pavements and the corresponding maintenance techniques.