Permeable Pavement: A Sustainable Solution for Urban Flood Management | Synergy 2024

This blog talks about a project presented by B.Tech (CE) students of SGT University at the Synergy 2024 Tech Fest. It presents a sustainable infrastructure solution to the ever-increasing problem of flooded cities in India.

Problem Statement:

As cities grow and expand, there’s a pressing need to rethink urban planning and how we manage water, reduce pollution, and build resilience against climate change.

Potential Solution:

One of the most innovative solutions gaining traction in sustainable infrastructure and urban planning is the permeable pavement model. Designed to reduce runoff, improve water quality and support green spaces, permeable pavements are an exciting addition to the toolkit for modern, sustainable cities.

This technology, which combines the durability of traditional pavements with environmental benefits, is making waves in tech fests and urban planning discussions for its potential to transform how cities address urban flooding and water management.

Technology Behind It:

Permeable pavements are specially engineered surfaces that allow water to seep through and reach the underlying soil or drainage system. These pavements are created using porous materials—like porous asphalt, pervious concrete, or interlocking pavers with gaps—that let rainwater pass through, reducing the amount of stormwater runoff that overwhelms urban drainage systems.

Benefits:

The quality of the college one attends to study engineering also has a very great influence on employability. Esteemed institutions have firm links to employers, meaning that they will offer internship places, job placements and pivotal chains in the success stories of their alumni. SGT University is one of the best engineering colleges in Gurgaon and therefore it has tie-ups with many companies, thus ensuring better placement opportunities for the students.

• Urban Flood Management: By enabling water to infiltrate directly into the ground, permeable pavements reduce the volume of surface water, minimising flash floods and protecting urban spaces from sudden inundations. This quality is particularly valuable for areas like parking lots, sidewalks, and driveways, where heavy rains can easily lead to pooling and localised flooding.
• Water Management: Permeable pavements are a game changer in terms of water management. They act as natural filters, trapping contaminants before they can enter water bodies. When rainwater flows across conventional concrete and asphalt, it picks up pollutants like oil, heavy metals, and chemicals, which can degrade rivers, lakes, and oceans. Permeable pavements, however, slow down this water and allow soil microbes to break down pollutants before they reach the water table. This filtration effect plays a critical role in improving water quality and supporting healthier ecosystems around urban areas.

Cons

Cost: Permeable pavements are initially more expensive than traditional pavements, but can offer long-term savings by reducing the need for extensive drainage systems and lowering maintenance costs related to flood damage.




Conclusion: Build Better with Permeable

As technology advances, many cities are offering incentives and subsidies for developers who opt for sustainable infrastructure like permeable pavements, making it an increasingly accessible choice. Highlighting permeable pavement as a tech fest feature underscores its potential as a transformative tool in building smarter, eco-friendly cities. By integrating permeable pavement into urban planning, we create a vision of cities that are resilient, sustainable, and aligned with the natural water cycle, addressing today’s environmental challenges with practical, innovative solutions.




Project Team:

• Students: Mr. Likmabam Jagjeet Singh, Mr. Harshit, Ms. Sneha, and Mr. Dev Kumar
• PI: Dr. Neeraj Saini (HoD & Assistant Professor)
• Co-PI: Mr. Neeraj Kumar Verma (Assistant Professor)