http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/ideas/2013/01/learning-from-nature-how-to-deal-with-nature/ How human ingenuity is changing the way we live Wed, 22 May 2013 23:01:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/ideas/2013/01/learning-from-nature-how-to-deal-with-nature/comment-page-1/#comment-1563 Randy Rieland Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:10:48 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/ideas/?p=4811#comment-1563 Thanks for clearing that up.... Thanks for clearing that up….

]]> http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/ideas/2013/01/learning-from-nature-how-to-deal-with-nature/comment-page-1/#comment-1562 T. Carter Ross Thu, 24 Jan 2013 22:05:54 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/ideas/?p=4811#comment-1562 Cassell is offering a lot of interesting ideas that bear consideration, and looking to technological ways to mimic natural systems certainly has merit, but I want to correct one comment about "porous concrete." Permeable pavements -- which includes porous asphalt, pervious concrete, and other systems -- do not "absorb water like a sponge." They allow water to percolate through the pavement into subsurface retention areas and from there into the surrounding soil. These sorts of pavements are effective at stormwater management, reducing flooding and filtering contaminants from the water. Cassell is offering a lot of interesting ideas that bear consideration, and looking to technological ways to mimic natural systems certainly has merit, but I want to correct one comment about “porous concrete.” Permeable pavements — which includes porous asphalt, pervious concrete, and other systems — do not “absorb water like a sponge.” They allow water to percolate through the pavement into subsurface retention areas and from there into the surrounding soil. These sorts of pavements are effective at stormwater management, reducing flooding and filtering contaminants from the water.

]]>