1. RESEARCH, INNOVATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND A SECURE
WORLD.
TITLE: Reclaiming old with new: Asphalt concrete and cobblestone transformation?
INSTITUTION: Rift valley institute of science and technology
DEPARTMENT: Building and civil Engineering.
NAME: John Adamba Enonda
ADMISSION: PS13P4863
TEL: +254 728174943
EMAIL: johnadamba@gmail.com
Head of Department
Name: Mr.Rotich
Tel: (+254 723953117)
Roads and infrastructure will be faced with multiple changes over the coming decades – challenges that in
many ways bear little resemblance to those previously faced and as such will require new approaches
.The major objective of this abstract is to transform the way road infrastructure is conceived and
constructed as a key part of assisting society to respond to climatic changes and reduce other
environmental pressures.
Concrete asphalt possess a challenge of environment pollution by producing gases that contribute to the
effect of global warming. Concrete creates hard surfaces which contribute to surface run-off that cause
soil erosion, water pollution and flooding. The surface-runoff of water tend to pick up gasoline, motor oil,
heavy metals, trash and other pollutants.
Asphalt darkened nature also contribute to Urban heat island. Urban heat island is a city or a metropolitan
area that is significantly warmer than in surrounding rural areas due to human activities. The temperature
difference is usually larger at night than during the day. The main cause of urban heat island is from the
modification of land surfaces which use materials that effectively store short-wave radiation. This include
black asphalt which absorb a large percentage of solar heat. The urban heat island decreases air quality by
increasing the production of pollutants such as ozone and decreases water quality as warmer water flow
into area streams and put stress on their eco-systems.
By exploring the adverse effects of using concrete asphalt in road construction I aim to investigate the
transformative effect of using cobblestones in road construction. The benefit of cobblestone is that it does
not depend on crude oil. It is naturally mined and has no negative effects to the environments.