Unpave

To remove the existing paved surface from an area, or to refrain from applying a paved surface to an area that is currently unpaved. This action often involves removing asphalt, concrete, or other materials used for road construction, walkways, or other paved surfaces. The motivation behind unpaving can range from ecological concerns, such as allowing water to seep into the ground and reduce runoff, to aesthetic preferences, or simply to restore an area to a more natural state. It is the active process of reversing pavement.

Unpave meaning with examples

• The city council voted to unpave a portion of the parking lot to create a green space, aiming to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide a park area for the community. This decision was made after residents expressed a desire to go green, to offer a chance to grow.
• Environmental activists campaigned to unpave a stretch of highway that was fragmenting a crucial wildlife corridor, believing that the unpaved area would help biodiversity, and would give the wildlife more range. It was their long term goal.
• In an effort to restore the natural drainage system, the homeowner decided to unpave the concrete driveway and replace it with permeable pavers, reducing the chances of water flow and restoring the flow back to the ground with fewer issues.
• Faced with a dwindling budget, the town was forced to unpave some of the less-traveled side streets. The streets were a drain on resources. There were not enough dollars.
• The land developers chose to unpave a large portion of the planned commercial development to create a wetland, believing it would attract a different kind of buyer, that preferred a more natural setting than just pavement.