Fernando Godoy, director of GRUPO GODOY MACEIRA SL
For some time now, we have been seeing the replacement of cobblestones in city streets with asphalt agglomerate, a cobblestone made of a material that is not very permeable and absorbs more heat. This is undoubtedly a quick and easy solution for local council budgets, but in the short term it has serious consequences which it would be good to be aware of.
It is not a question of fashions. We must be aware that the climate is changing towards extreme poles and it is necessary to think of cities with more nature and to prioritise the use of natural stone to reduce temperatures and pollution and to favour water drainage.
Our European neighbours are committed to preserving cobblestones. Portugal is a great example of this: they have made cobblestones a hallmark of their identity, and in London and many cities in France they are replacing asphalt with stone cobblestones.
In the city of Vigo (Pontevedra), for example, granite paving stones have been systematically replaced by ‘highly resistant and durable agglomerate’ for a couple of years. The reasons given include the constant repairs, the noise emitted by road traffic and the danger, due to the lack of grip, for both vehicle drivers and pedestrians when the pavement is wet.
Granite cobblestone is a reusable and recyclable material, with low environmental impact and which also favours the circular economy where the granite industry has a strategic weight; granite cobblestones absorb less heat, reduce speed and stopping distance due to their greater adherence (fewer accidents), last a long time (as long as they are well executed), are reusable and have an unquestionable heritage value.
Well laid and cared for cobblestones can have a useful life of hundreds of years, but for this to be the case, a good technical study must be carried out beforehand. Firstly, it is necessary to check the surface on which the paving stones will be laid, then whether it will be a rigid or flexible pavement, what use we will give to the street, whether it will be for road traffic or pedestrian traffic, etc. Their installation should obey only technical standards and instructions, backed up by thousands of tests carried out and works executed.
In today's society, we need more and more cities that are smarter, more sustainable, where the environment, well-being and the quality of life of people, both physical and mental, are a priority. And this is perhaps the focus we should be aiming for.
