Editing Cobblestone (section)

===Use today===
With the advent of asphalt and concrete in the 20th century, the use of cobblestones declined. These newer materials were cheaper and easier to install, leading to the replacement of many cobblestone streets. However, cobblestone streets have been preserved in many historic districts around the world, valued for their historical significance and aesthetic charm. In recent decades, cobblestones have become a popular material for paving newly [[pedestrian]]ised streets in Europe. In this case, the noisy nature of the surface is an advantage as pedestrians can hear approaching vehicles. The visual cues of the cobblestones also clarify that the area is more than just a normal street.<ref>{{cite news |last=Roy |first=Matthew K. |title=Architect: Open Salem pedestrian mall to cars, parking |url=http://www.salemnews.com/local/x2036003030/Architect-Open-Salem-pedestrian-mall-to-cars-parking |access-date=23 April 2011|newspaper=The Salem News|date=13 April 2011 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The use of cobblestones and setts is also considered to be a more "upmarket" roadway solution, having been described as "unique and artistic" compared to the normal asphalt road environment.<ref>{{cite book|last=Frances Page|first=Cecilia|title=Authentic Insights|year=2010}}</ref>

In older U.S. cities such as [[Philadelphia]], [[Boston]], [[Pittsburgh]],<ref name="belgianblock" /> [[New York City]], [[Chicago]], [[San Francisco]], [[New Castle, Delaware|New Castle]], [[Portland, Maine|Portland (Maine)]], [[Baltimore]], [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]], and [[New Orleans]], many of the older streets are paved in cobblestones and setts (mostly setts); however, many such streets have been paved over with asphalt, which can crack and erode away due to heavy traffic, thus revealing the original stone pavement.

In some places such as [[Saskatoon, Saskatchewan]], [[Canada]], as late as the 1990s some busy intersections still showed cobblestones through worn down sections of pavement. In Toronto streets, setts were used by streetcar routes and disappeared by the 1980s, but are still found in the [[Distillery District]].

Many cities in Latin America, such as [[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]]; [[Zacatecas, Zacatecas|Zacatecas]] and [[Guanajuato, Guanajuato|Guanajuato]], in [[Mexico]]; [[Old San Juan]], [[Puerto Rico]]; [[Vigan]], [[Philippines]]; and [[Montevideo]], [[Uruguay]], are well known for their many cobblestone streets, which are still operational and in good condition. They are still maintained and repaired in the traditional manner, by placing and arranging granite stones by hand.

In the [[Czech Republic]], there are old cobblestone paths with colored [[marble]]s and [[limestone]]s. The design with three colors (red/limestone, black/limestone, white/marble) has a long tradition in [[Bohemia]]. The cubes of the old ways are handmade.