Cool Pavement Technologies for Urban Heat Island Mitigation: A Comprehensive Review with Future Research Directions for Developing Cities

Cool pavement technologies have emerged as an effective solution to mitigate urban heat island (UHI) effects by reducing pavement surface temperatures and enhancing urban thermal comfort. This study reviews three major categories of cool pavements—reflective, evaporative, and thermal energy storage systems—based on their mechanisms, effectiveness, benefits, and limitations. Results show that reflective pavements provide the most immediate cooling performance, with temperature reductions typically ranging from 5 °C to 15 °C, depending on materials and application. In contrast, thermal energy storage systems such as hydronic pavements or thermoelectric technologies may achieve reductions of up to 20 °C. Evaporative pavements offer added value through water retention and stormwater management, although their performance is highly dependent on local climate and water availability. While these technologies offer substantial environmental and societal benefits, challenges remain in terms of long-term durability, cost, and standardization. In the context of Hanoi, Vietnam, ongoing research and pilot implementations are actively exploring light-colored asphalt, porous and water-retentive pavements, microsurfacing, and innovative materials like TiO₂-based asphalt. These initiatives reflect the growing commitment to sustainable and climate-adaptive infrastructure solutions in urban settings.