{"id":889713,"date":"2026-06-26T10:11:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T08:11:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/?p=889713"},"modified":"2026-06-30T09:20:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T07:20:10","slug":"permeable-car-park-surfacing-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/en\/permeable-car-park-surfacing-comparison\/","title":{"rendered":"Permeable car park surfacing: comparing grass, gravel and paving solutions for commercial and public projects"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Why choosing the right permeable surface determines the success of a project<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A permeable car<\/a> park is not simply a surface material. It is a complete pavement system whose long-term performance depends on the surface course, the underlying drainage structure and the intended use of the parking area.<\/p>

A landscape architect designing a business park faces different constraints from a civil engineer specifying a public car park or a contractor delivering a commercial development.<\/p>

This technical comparison reviews the main permeable surfacing systems available within the Nidaplast range, assessing them against the practical criteria that matter most during design, construction and long-term operation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Comparison table: Nidaplast permeable surfacing solutions for car parks<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Criteria<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Material<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Infill<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Compressive strength<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Infiltration rate<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Biotope Area Factor (BAF)*<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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UHI** performance<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Appearance<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Origin<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Nidagrass NG040<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Recycled PE<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Topsoil + grass<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Up to 400 t\/sqm<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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2,60 mm\/s <\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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0,5 to 0,7<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Excellent<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Fully vegetated<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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France<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Nidagravel (urban)<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Recycled PE<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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7\/14 gravel<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Up to 800 t\/sqm<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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> 5,5 mm\/s <\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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0,3 to 0,5<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Good<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Structured mineral<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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France<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Nidagravel (landscape)<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Recycled PP<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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6\/10 or 8\/15 gravel<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Up to 400 t\/sqm<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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> 5,33 mm\/s <\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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0,3 to 0,5<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Good<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Natural gravel<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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France<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Ocity NGR65<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Recycled PE<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Topsoil + grass<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Up to 400 t\/sqm<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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3,53 mm\/s <\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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0,3 to 0,6<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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High<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Fully vegetated<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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France<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Ocity PAV65<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Recycled PE<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Concrete pavers<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Up to 400 t\/sqm<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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> 5,33 mm\/s <\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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0,2 to 0,4<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Moderate to good<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Structured urban paving<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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France<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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*Indicative BAF values depending on the selected infill material and local planning methodology.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>

**UHI : Urban heat island<\/span><\/i><\/p>

Catalogue data: Nidaplast 2026. Infiltration rates measured by CERIB<\/strong> <\/a>(January 2025) on a 1sqm test area. Mineral-filled systems unless otherwise stated. Vegetated values measured after full grass establishment.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Which permeable surface is best suited to your project?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Public spaces and civic developments: prioritising appearance and environmental performance<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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For public buildings, schools, cultural facilities, healthcare sites and commercial developments, the selected surface must combine structural performance, an attractive finish and compliance with local planning and sustainability objectives.<\/p>

The Ocity PAV65<\/strong><\/a> paving grid provides the appearance of a traditional paved car park while maintaining full permeability. CERIB testing recorded an infiltration rate exceeding 5.33 mm\/s<\/strong> with mineral infill.<\/p>

Where maximising green infrastructure and landscape integration is the priority, Nidagrass NG\/NGR<\/strong><\/a> offers a fully grassed trafficable surface. As with any reinforced grass system, it is best suited to areas with moderate traffic and sufficient sunlight to maintain healthy vegetation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Slab

Slab PAV65<\/p>

The Ocity PAV65 slab is specifically designed for installing 15 \u00d7 15 \u00d7 6 cm pavers. Its structure ensures perfect alignment and excellent mechanical strength. Ideal for car parks, driveways, and trafficable areas, it facilitates the creation of durable and permeable surfaces.<\/p>View product sheet<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"espace-public-parking\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Business parks and office developments<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Corporate campuses, office parks and commercial premises require surfacing that combines durability with a strong environmental image.<\/p>

The Nidagravel<\/strong> NG040<\/strong><\/a> gravel reinforcement system offers one of the best compromises between load-bearing capacity and hydraulic performance. With compressive strength of up to 800 t\/m\u00b2<\/strong> and an infiltration rate exceeding 5.5 mm\/s<\/strong>, it is suitable for heavily used light vehicle parking areas.<\/p>

When sustainability credentials or planning requirements favour vegetated surfaces, the Nidagrass<\/strong><\/a> range provides a fully grassed permeable parking solution while maintaining a natural landscape appearance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Platte

Platte NG040<\/p>

Die nidagrass NG040 Grasplatten<\/strong> sind Platten aus recyceltem LDPE (niedrige Dichte), die begr\u00fcnt werden k\u00f6nnen. Sie wurden speziell daf\u00fcr entwickelt, eine stabile und befahrbare Rasenfl\u00e4che<\/strong> zu gew\u00e4hrleisten \u2013 ohne die Bildung von Fahrspuren, Vertiefungen oder Wasserpf\u00fctzen.<\/p>View product sheet<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"parking-bureaux-site-activit\u00e9\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Residential and landscaped applications<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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For residential driveways, private access roads, campsites, visitor parking and accessible parking bays, the Nidagravel 129\/130\/139\/140<\/strong><\/a> range provides an attractive landscaped solution.<\/p>

Available in several colours to complement local aggregates, these lightweight recycled polypropylene grids require no permanent anchoring. With compressive strength up to 400 t\/m\u00b2<\/strong> and CERIB-tested infiltration rates above 5.33 mm\/s<\/strong>, they are well suited to light vehicle parking and low-traffic access roads.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Nidagravel

Nidagravel 129-139<\/p>

Honeycomb slabs for gravel stabilization: Nidagravel 129 and 139 provide a practical and easy-to-handle solution for landscaping projects. Their compact format (1200 x 800 mm) makes installation easier on small to medium-sized sites.<\/p>View product sheet<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"all\u00e9e-privative\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Temporary and occasional parking<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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For temporary parking areas, event venues, emergency access routes or grassed areas that occasionally need to support vehicle traffic, the RG035<\/strong><\/a> panel from the Nidagrass range can be installed directly onto existing grass with minimal ground preparation.<\/p>

It is specifically designed to reinforce natural turf while reducing rutting during occasional vehicle use.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Slab

Slab RG035<\/p>

The Nidaplast RG035 slab is an ideal choice for reinforcing existing grassed surfaces. This polyethylene panel has been specifically designed for renovating trafficable areas covered with grass. It provides a practical and effective solution to improve surface stability and reduce sinking.<\/p>View product sheet<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"parking-occasionnel-evenementiel\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Urban heat islands (UHI): which permeable surface performs best?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Reducing urban heat island effects has become an important design objective for both public authorities and private developments.<\/p>

Permeable surfaces<\/a><\/strong> help reduce surface temperatures through two complementary mechanisms.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Evapotranspiration<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Evapotranspiration cools the surrounding environment through the evaporation of water retained within the growing medium.<\/p>

This mechanism is unique to vegetated systems, making the Nidagrass<\/strong> <\/a>range the most effective solution for reducing surface temperatures. Depending on weather conditions and published research, grassed surfaces can remain 10 to 15\u00b0C cooler<\/strong> than conventional asphalt during summer.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Surface reflectance<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Light-coloured aggregates such as limestone or quartz used with NG040<\/strong><\/a> or Nidagravel<\/strong> <\/a>reflect significantly more solar radiation than dark asphalt, reducing heat absorption at the surface.<\/p>

In both cases, the lightweight recycled polyethylene structure stores far less heat than conventional concrete paving or asphalt, further improving thermal comfort.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Key specification considerations<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Before specifying a permeable paving system, three aspects should always be assessed.<\/p>

Verify ground infiltration capacity<\/strong><\/p>

The permeability of the underlying soil determines how infiltrated water will ultimately be managed.<\/p>

Ground infiltration testing is strongly recommended. Where the measured soil permeability is below 10\u207b\u2076 m\/s, direct infiltration is generally unsuitable and the pavement structure should discharge towards a controlled outlet or temporary attenuation system such as Optibox.<\/p>

Match the surface to expected traffic<\/strong><\/p>

Traffic intensity is one of the key criteria when selecting a permeable surface.<\/p>

Grass reinforcement systems such as Nidagrass are generally recommended for occasional or moderate traffic where sufficient sunlight allows healthy vegetation growth.<\/p>

For more heavily trafficked parking areas, gravel-filled systems such as NG040 or Nidagravel provide greater long-term durability while maintaining high infiltration performance.<\/p>

Consider water quality<\/strong><\/p>

Where infiltrated water may affect groundwater protection zones or sensitive environments, local regulations may require hydrogeological studies or additional water treatment measures before infiltration.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Looking for the most suitable permeable surfacing solution for your car park project?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRequest a Technical Assessment<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload the Nidaplast Catalogue<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Why choosing the right permeable surface determines the success of a project A permeable car park is not simply a surface material. It is a complete pavement system whose long-term performance depends on the surface course, the underlying drainage structure and the intended use of the parking area. A landscape architect designing a business park […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":875880,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[391],"tags":[],"univers":[],"class_list":["post-889713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environment-and-sustainable-development"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/889713","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=889713"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/889713\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":897000,"href":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/889713\/revisions\/897000"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/875880"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=889713"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=889713"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=889713"},{"taxonomy":"univers","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nidaplast.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/univers?post=889713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}