Morocco is testing a 'sponge' pavement that stays 16°F cooler by itself, aims at replacing black asphalt

Morocco is testing a 'sponge' pavement that drains water and cools itself through evaporation. For decades, black asphalt has rolled on the roads but parts of Marrakech and Agadir are reportedly becoming testing grounds for this new surface that is deemed to be environmentally better.The idea will not only make roads feel less hot during summers, but can also reduce runoff, improve drainage, filter some pollutants and cool itself through evaporation when enough moisture is available. Moroccan media describe limited experiments that replace selected areas of conventional bitumen with permeable pavement, allowing water to pass below the surface instead of sending every drop toward a drain, according to a report by econews.Why not black asphalt?During an Arizona pilot cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, conventional pavement reached about 152°F around midday, while specially designed cool surfaces remained 10°F to 16°F cooler.Dark pavement absorbs solar energy during the day and releases part of it later as heat. This creates the "urban heat island," the familiar pattern in which built-up neighbourhoods remain hotter than surrounding areas, sometimes well after sunset. ...