Permeable paving technologies adopted in Mexico and Morocco

Efforts to implement permeable paving technologies are gaining traction in different regions to combat urban heat and improve water management.

In Coahuila, Mexico, deputy Guillermo Ruiz Guerra has proposed a legislative reform to the State's Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection Law. The initiative seeks to incorporate sustainable urban design criteria into public works, such as streets and sidewalks, by using permeable concrete, filtering pavers, or draining pavements. This approach aims to facilitate rainwater infiltration to recharge aquifers and reduce urban flooding caused by traditional asphalt and concrete surfaces.

In Morocco, the cities of Marrakech and Agadir have implemented porous pavement as part of a sustainable urban development strategy. This technology features a structure with small spaces that allow rainwater to filter into the subsoil and evaporate gradually. This process helps dissipate accumulated heat, addressing the urban heat island effect and improving drainage during intense precipitation.