Removing Asphalt. Restoring Green Space.
The Cumberland River Compact’s depave initiative transforms Nashville’s unused paved spaces into living landscapes that absorb stormwater, support native plants, and beautify our community. Through depave projects, Nashvillians have transformed deteriorating asphalt into rain gardens, community reforestation projects, and pockets of native prairie.
Founded in 2017, the depave initiative is the second of its kind in the United States (and the only one in the southeastern U.S.), serving as an example for other cities of how infrastructure can be reimagined in developed areas.
Depave for Water Quality
Asphalt is impervious, meaning it can’t absorb rainwater. When rain falls on asphalt, it runs off quickly, picking up pollutants like oil, trash, and sediment on its way downhill to storm drains and nearby waterways. This process contributes to flooding and pollutes Nashville’s streams and rivers.
Green spaces, on the other hand, are pervious: like giant living sponges, they absorb stormwater and filter out pollutants, improving water quality and decreasing flooding.
Even small depave projects absorb incredible amounts of stormwater runoff, especially in areas with high amounts of pavement. Depaving protects Nashville’s clean drinking water and makes our city more resilient in the face of severe storms.
Depave for Urban Heat
Depave projects also combat the urban heat island effect, which raises temperatures in metropolitan areas with more paved surfaces. Plants cool our cities by providing shade and through evapotranspiration. Cooler cities = better health outcomes for residents.
Community Ideas Shape These Projects
Most depave projects begin with someone noticing an unused space and asking a simple question. What could this place be instead?
The Compact relies on neighbors, property owners, and local leaders across Nashville to bring forward ideas for depave projects. In many cases, they help guide how the space is ultimately used, whether that means creating a shaded gathering area, planting trees, or introducing native vegetation.
This process allows projects to reflect the identity of the neighborhood, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all-approach.
Past Project Examples
You Dream, We Build
When planning a depave project, the Cumberland River Compact’s Urban Waters Team works with your community to design a new green space that meets your unique needs while preserving the functionality of your property, including all necessary parking spaces.
After the project plan is approved, the Compact’s experienced Field Team handles site testing, asphalt removal, soil restoration, and plant installation.
Suggest a Depave Site
Do you know of a space that could be depaved in your neighborhood?
A place that feels underused, overly paved, or out of step with the surrounding community?
The Cumberland River Compact offers free consultations to explore whether a site may be a good fit for a depave project. Many projects begin with a simple conversation and grow from there.
If you have a site in mind or would like to learn more, fill out the form below and our team will follow up with you.