Permeable pavement as a component of water sensitive urban design : a mini review

Rapid urbanization has led to an increase in runoff and pollution in urban waterways. Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) is a sustainable means of reducing the impacts of urbanisation on urban water cycle. Permeable pavement system (PPS) is a component of WSUD that can reduce both runoff volume and pollution. PPS is generally used in low-traffic areas such as car parks, pedestrian footpaths, cycle paths and driveways. In this paper, we present a review of PPS highlighting its major benefits and limitations and recommend areas of further research. It has been found that PPS has a number of benefits such as reduction of urban runoff volume, removal of pollutants from stormwater runoff, enhancement of groundwater recharge, and reduction of heat island effects. The major limitations are related to its maintenance, clogging effects, lifecycle cost analysis and strength and durability. The future research and development potentials of PPS are identified in this paper.