Coolways

Story

Coolways – development of an intelligent, sensor-controlled adiabatic cooling and damping patch technology – is a research project funded by national (Austria) and international funds within the Eurostars program.

The Coolway system can make a significant contribution to climate change-adapted urban spaces due to its design and functionality. It is to be used where planting is not possible in public open space, but cooling of urban heat islands is necessary, primarily sidewalks and roads with little traffic.

Unlike conventional paving, the Coolway system responds to heat and provides cooling through surface evaporation of collected rainwater and graywater at the surface. This innovative surface paving thus reduces heat emission via surface radiation and thus reduces the negative effect of urban heat islands.

It also reduces runoff by retaining and stockpiling stormwater, improves urban flood prevention, and provides the ability to irrigate adjacent green infrastructure in a resource-efficient manner.