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How
does permeable pavement work?
Permeable
pavement has functionality and workability similar to that of regular
concrete. However, the porous concrete mix lacks the sand and
other fine particles found in regular concrete. This creates a
significant amount of void space, which allows water to flow relatively
unobstructed through the concrete.
Types
of permeable pavement include permeable asphalt, permeable concrete,
grid block pavers, plastic grids, vegetated grids, turf block, gravel,
cobbles, brick, natural stone, etc.
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Why
do we need permeable pavement?
Traditional
concrete and asphalt don’t allow water to soak into the ground;
rather, they repel it. Permeable
pavement systems allow rain and snowmelt to infiltrate unto the
underlying soils, which promotes recharge and treatment of pollution
while decreasing storm water runoff.
Typical
Uses: Parking bays, parking lanes, sidewalks, roads. Permeable
pavers and porous pavement are generally used in high traffic parking
and roadway applications.
Land
Use: Ideal for commercial, industrial, and residential properties.
They are also suitable for new construction and retrofit projects.
Approximate
Cost: Varies according to product. Typically, the cost is higher
than conventional paving systems; however, they help reduce the overall
storm water infrastructure costs.
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What is
conservation development?
In a conservation development,
houses are carefully arranged and grouped within the development to
maintain overall density requirements, to conserve a large area of open
space, which preserves the existing natural resources.
This open space is often placed in an easement, which is held by
a third party in order to protect it in perpetuity. The following
is a list of benefits associated with conservation development:
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Open
space can provide community members with larger recreation areas
and create a sense of openness that many people desire.
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Open
space can benefit the environment by providing habitat for wildlife,
naturally filtering storm water, reducing storm water runoff from
impervious surfaces, and protecting the natural features of a site.
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Linking
the open space of several conservation design subdivisions can help
develop larger and more effective “environmental corridors”
within and between communities. Developers may benefit because these
designs usually reduce the costs of site development and increase
the market price of individual plots in comparison with traditional
subdivisions.
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These
designs can benefit rural areas by reinforcing the policy of
maintaining the local rural character that is included in many
comprehensive land use plans. |
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| Traditional
Development |
Conservation
Development |
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What is a
green roof?
A
green roof utilizes a waterproof membrane, soil, and vegetation to
reduce the impact of rainwater runoff on the landscape, and enhance the
insulation properties within a building.
What is a green roof made of?
Green
roofs are made of layers of man made and natural materials.
The base layers provide a waterproof seal for the roof, prevent
leakage, and lay a foundation for the soil and plants.
These systems use foliage and a lightweight soil mixture to
absorb, filter, and detain rainfall.
What are the benefits of green roofs?
The
benefits of green roofs are multiple and include the following:
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Storm water
runoff control
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Doubled roof life
span
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Improved water
quality in areas surrounding building
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Enhanced
insulation for lower heating and cooling costs
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Provide wildlife
habitat
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Aesthetically
pleasing
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Click
here to visit the Green
Roofs For Healthy Cities website.
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