A Review: Permeability and Thermal Conductivity of Road Surface Layers as Regulators of Stormwater-Mediated Urban Temperature Buffering

Abstract

The rapid urbanisation has significantly intensified the urban heat island (UHI) effects and disrupted the natural hydrological processes due to the large-scale transformation of vegetated land surfaces into impervious traffic infrastructure. Urban pavements are of utmost importance to microclimate regulation, as they directly influence heat absorption, thermal stormwater infiltration, evaporation and surface energy exchange. In recent years, the development of permeable and thermally adapted pavement surfaces as multifunctional solutions to mitigate urban overheating and to improve stormwater management in the context of changing climatic conditions has attracted increasing attention. This research rigorously analyses the recent developments (2016-2026) on permeability and thermal conductivity of road surface layers and its impact on the urban temperature regulation via stormwater.