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State Replaces Asphalt With Concrete In Cities Like Fortaleza Aiming To Reduce Heat Islands And Increase The Durability Of Roads. The Measure Also Benefits Sustainability, With Less Environmental Impact And Reduced Maintenance Costs. Experts Point Out Advantages, Such As Thermal Comfort And Savings. But Can The Initiative Expand To Other Brazilian States?
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Fortaleza, The Capital Of Ceará, Decided To Replace Asphalt With Concrete In Its Urban Roads.
The Measure, Which Initially May Seem Like Merely An Aesthetic Issue, Aims To Mitigate The Impact Of High Temperatures That Hit The Region Almost Year-Round.
According To The Ceará Secretary Of Cities, This Project Has Already Extended To 39 Municipalities And 12 Regions, Covering Cities Like Sobral And Crato.
Experts Point Out That The Initiative Offers Environmental And Economic Benefits, In Addition To Increasing The Durability Of The Roads.
Concrete Vs Asphalt: Which Is Better For The Urban Environment?
Professor Iuri Bessa From The Federal University Of Ceará (UFC) Explains That Concrete Provides Advantages Over Asphalt.
“Although The Initial Cost Of Concrete Is Higher, It Makes Up For It Over Time Due To The Lower Maintenance Needs. Its Durability Is Up To Three Times Greater Than That Of Asphalt Pavement,” He Says.
Additionally, Concrete Reflects Solar Radiation Better, Contributing To Reducing The So-Called Heat Islands Common In Urban Areas.
These Zones, Which Exhibit Higher Temperatures Than Their Surroundings, Are Worsened By Asphalt, Which Absorbs Heat And Raises Thermal Sensation.
Cost Reduction And Environmental Benefits
The Replacement Of Asphalt With Concrete Also Offers Economic Advantages.
Bruno Nobre, An Engineer From The Urban Works Coordination Of The Ceará Secretary Of Cities, Highlights That Asphalt Directly Depends On Petroleum, A Resource Subject To Price Fluctuations.
“Moreover, Concrete Provides Savings In Public Lighting As It Reflects More Light, Improving Nighttime Visibility,” He Notes.
Another Alternative Adopted In The State Is Interlocking Pavements, Which Consist Of Concrete Blocks That Fit Together Without The Need For Mortar.
In Addition To Facilitating Repairs, These Blocks Are Permeable, Allowing Rainwater To Infiltrate The Soil And Helping To Prevent Flooding.
Sustainability And Thermal Comfort: A Joint Challenge
Engineer Lucas Babadopulos, A Doctor From The University Of Lyon, Explains That The Sustainability Of Concrete Can Be Enhanced By Using Recycled Materials, Such As Construction Waste.
He Also Points Out That The Light Color Of Concrete Helps Reduce Urban Heat. “While Asphalt Can Reach Up To 70 Degrees Celsius On Sunny Days, Concrete Maintains Cooler Temperatures, Reducing Thermal Sensation By Up To 10°C,” He Highlights.
However, Babadopulos Emphasizes That The Replacement Of Asphalt With Concrete Is Not An Isolated Solution. For A More Effective Impact, It Is Necessary To Integrate It With Other Actions, Such As Tree Planting, Efficient Drainage, And The Use Of Sustainable Transportation.
Pioneering And Expansion To Other Regions
The Model Adopted In Ceará Is Already Inspiring Other Brazilian Cities, Such As Recife, Which Have Also Opted For Concrete In Public Roads.
In Addition To Thermal And Environmental Improvements, Concrete Paving Has Been Applied In Tourist And Historical Sites, Such As The Center Of Sobral And The Highways Connecting Ceará Beaches.
Experts Believe That The Combination Of Concrete With Urban Planning Can Transform Quality Of Life In Hot Climate Areas.
Webert Silva, A Doctoral Student In Transportation Engineering At UFC, Emphasizes The Importance Of Considering Pedestrians.
“The Replacement Of Asphalt Is Just Part Of A Larger Process That Includes Creating More Pleasant Spaces For Those Who Walk,” He Says.
A Sustainable Future
Although The Initial Cost Of Concrete Is Higher, Its Positive Impact On Quality Of Life, Resource Savings, And Durability Make It A Strategic Choice.
In A Scenario Of Climate Change, Measures Like This Demonstrate How Urban Planning Can Be A Powerful Tool To Tackle Environmental Challenges.
And You, What Do You Think Of This Initiative? Could The Replacement Of Asphalt With Concrete Spread To Other Regions Of Brazil? Leave Your Opinion In The Comments!
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