Urban renaturation
Depaving and renaturing cities: from ambition to reality

Renaturation is often confused with desilting, which consists solely of restoring permeability to the surface layer of the soil, often using porous, draining pavements or unsealed pavers (figure 3 ). This is an essential but insufficient prerequisite for restoring the soil's ecological functions. The use of permeable pavements has become particularly widespread in recent years, sometimes to the detriment of open ground (schoolyards, tree roots). Their use should be limited to areas subject to heavy traffic (walking, cycling, driving) or, for example, parking...