Permeable (that is, water-

permeable) sidewalks is an example of the confluence which is the principal principle (or conceit, if you like) of Popular Logistics. 

  There are at least two materials from which permeable sidewalks are made – a type of concrete and a hard rubber composite.

Here’s how it works: like a sidewalk. The weight of people and objects are borne by the sidewalk. But not liquid, which goes through.

Three welcome consequences:

1. Trees planted near sidewalks get watered right through the sidewalk; their roots don’t need to keep travelling laterally to seek water, bursting through the sidewal. Tree gets to live; sidewalk doesn’t need to be replaced as often; tree continues its photosynthesis thing – and often cools the street and houses, making people more comfortable and reducing the need for air-conditioning. (We assume that all Popular Logistics readers are sufficiently caffeinated to make the next jump – that this creates a net reduction in energy consumption. Stay with me- this is only one immediate effect – and look at all these benefits.
2. Water doesn’t pool on sidewalks, creating mosquito habitats.
3. Water – once on the sidewalk – doesn’t evaporate – but can make it back into the water table, making more water available.
4. During floods, the environment has additional capacity to absorb water – at least mitigating the effects of the flood.

The University of Alabama Cooperative Extension Service has a press release about their project – with an extensive set of links to information about permeable or “pervious” sidewalks. Given the sound of “pervious” – I think we’ll stick with “permeable” for the time being.

Link here. Tip of the hat – or the chapeau de fromage to IT goddess Lauren Dohr.