Cities expert pushes for permeable pavements against flooding, heat | Pinakabagong Balita sa Pilipinas

Cities expert pushes for permeable pavements against flooding, heat — Cities expert Anna Mae Lamentillo. Cities expert Anna Mae Lamentillo. MANILA, Philippines – Cities expert Anna Mae Lamentillo has called for the wides...

Cities expert Anna Mae Lamentillo.

Cities expert Anna Mae Lamentillo.

MANILA, Philippines – Cities expert Anna Mae Lamentillo has called for the widespread adoption of permeable pavements across Philippine cities, citing their potential to mitigate flooding, improve water management, and reduce urban heat.

Speaking at a recent infrastructure and climate resilience forum, Lamentillo stressed that urban areas must rethink traditional road and sidewalk designs to adapt to the country’s changing climate.

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“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,” she said.

Permeable pavements, made from porous asphalt, pervious concrete, or interlocking pavers, allow rainwater to seep through the surface into the ground below. Lamentillo emphasized that this design not only prevents surface runoff that leads to flooding but also recharges groundwater aquifers, which are critical for water security during dry seasons.

“Metro Manila alone loses billions of pesos annually due to flood damage. Imagine if we could reduce that risk while simultaneously replenishing our water tables,” she noted.

Beyond flood control, Lamentillo underscored that permeable pavements help cool down cities. Traditional asphalt absorbs and traps heat, contributing to the “urban heat island” effect. By contrast, permeable surfaces allow for natural evaporation and reduce heat retention.

“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,” she explained.

Lamentillo urged both local and national government agencies to integrate permeable pavement technology into urban planning standards, particularly for new roads, parking lots, and public spaces. She suggested pilot projects in flood-prone barangays and called for public-private partnerships to accelerate implementation.

“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 Lamentillo’s call, pointing out that permeable pavements have been successfully implemented in cities across Japan, the United States, and Europe, resulting in significant reductions in both flooding incidents and surface temperatures.

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