Planning With Paving
With the recent publication of the 2015 edition of its ‘Planning with Paving’ guide, the trade
association Interpave takes a fresh look at precast concrete paving.
The use of segmental paving laid to create
from the simple, regular patterns and
a hard surface can be traced back over
colours of the 1970s and 1980s. They
6,000 years and precast concrete paving
continue to expand an extensive palette
continues this tradition today. Unlike
of styles, shapes, colours and textures to
extracted materials such as stone and
meet current demands in urban design,
clay, precast concrete block, flag, kerb
matching – and often exceeding – the
and related paving products are fully
visual qualities of materials such as stone.
engineered and manufactured under
modern, controlled conditions. This
consistently ensures accurate product
and joint size, colour and texture, slip/
skid resistance and other performance
characteristics. So, precast concrete paving
offers a unique predictability enabling
specifiers and adoption authorities to
avoid risks with consistent, trouble-free
performance over the longer term.
Urban Design Opportunities
But that does not mean compromise with
urban design opportunities. With precast
concrete paving distinct, modular units
and designed variations in colour, texture
and shape break up areas giving visual
interest and a human scale not possible
with formless materials such as asphalt.
Sustainable Paving
Precast concrete paving from Interpave
manufacturers is demonstrably
sustainable in every sense. As well as low
environmental impact – demonstrated by
a host of ‘Green Guide’ A+ and A ratings –
products are locally manufactured, making
In terms of design opportunities, pigment
a vital contribution to the local economy
technology today allows a much wider
and community. Local material sourcing
choice of colours, ranging from vibrant
and product supply is also a key element
to muted tones, as well as varied mixes of
and equivalent paving products shipped
colours that can emulate other materials.
into the country bear a substantial CO2
Surface treatments can also be applied
emission load over those locally supplied.
to paving blocks, flags and kerbs to give
different textures, some exposing the
inherent aggregates. Surfaces can be
honed for a flat finish or polished, or shot
blasted to look weathered, or tumbled for
a more rugged, naturalistic appearance.
Combining these attributes with the range
of shapes and sizes available enables
designers to select paving styles, whether
traditional or contemporary, enhancing
environments from historic areas to
vibrant new city spaces.
And of course concrete block permeable
paving is a key sustainable drainage
system (SuDS) technique, helping in the
fight against flooding and pollution. It
can also supply a controlled flow of clean
water to other landscape features for
amenity use in the landscape or recycling.
It is one of the most space-efficient SuDS
components available and does not
require any additional land-take, making it
an ideal solution for urban areas. In fact, it
can handle runoff from roof drainage and
Recently, Interpave manufacturers have
adjacent impermeable surfaces around
transformed this concept, moving away
double its own area as well.
34 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 15