Porous Paving

One of the most common methods of limiting runoff in urban areas is through the utilization of porous paving. In theory, porous paving reduces urban runoff; however, in addition to the relatively high rate of failure, there are two other obvious disadvantages to porous paving: structural strength and aesthetic quality. Without the recommended rebar reinforcement found in typical slab concrete, porous pavement is much weaker, which limits where porous pavement can be used.

Secondly, porous pavement is rarely selected for plazas or high-traffic areas due to the poor aesthetic quality and difficult walking surface of the finished product. However, even if aesthetics and structural integrity are not main concerns, porous pavement has a relatively high failure rate due to clogging. At a minimum, quarterly cleaning and vacuuming of the surface are recommended, which drastically increases maintenance costs.