Adaptation activity
In Kyoto City, "paving-stone design asphalt with water-absorbent properties" has been introduced as part of a project to eliminate utility poles. This technology increases the effectiveness of ‘uchimizu’ (the practice of sprinkling water on the ground in front of houses, shops etc.) as a method of heat mitigation.
The road surface is made by pouring liquid cement (cement slurry) into porous asphalt. After the surface smoothed down, it is marked with a paving stone pattern using a cutter. Since water retention is enhanced by the composition of the asphalt, which both absorbs water and allows it to easily evaporate, ground surface temperature on hot days can be managed through the vaporization effect of water, from uchimizu or rain, stored in the asphalt.
