Unearthing the urban future: the evolving role of tunnel and underground structures in modern cities

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Abstract

In the pursuit of maintaining and enhancing the livability of our cities, the utilization of both open and subterranean spaces is becoming increasingly crucial. This paper explores the imperative for multidimensional urban planning and infrastructure development, highlighting the rising significance of underground spaces. Addressing the escalating demands for housing, office space, infrastructure, and open areas within urban environments, the author underscores the necessity for strategic allocation of both surface and subsurface resources. International case studies of innovative underground developments are examined, showcasing multifaceted projects that ingeniously leverage subterranean space to meet diverse urban needs. This paper elucidates the pivotal role that tunnel and underground structures will play in shaping the future of modern cities, advocating for a forward-thinking approach to urban planning that embraces the full spectrum of spatial possibilities.

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Short Curriculum

Antonia Cornaro has 25 years of working experience as an urban and transport planner from the public and private sector from New York City, London, Vienna, and Zurich, having worked for NYC Department of City Planning, Parsons Brinckerhoff (now WSP), the Austrian Institute of Regional Planning (ÖIR), and the Zurich based multi-disciplinary engineering consulting firm EBP. In her current work as Expert Underground Space for Amberg Engineering, an internationally renowned Swiss firm specializing in underground infrastructure design and management, she focuses on Urban Underground Space with the aim to increase mobility, livability, and resilience of urban areas. This is also central to her work as Co-Chair of ITACUS, the International Tunnel and Underground Space Association’s Committee on Underground Space. Antonia is passionate about cities, global and sustainable development, and has presented and published extensively on this subject. With Han Admiraal she co-authored the book “Underground spaces unveiled: planning and creating the cities of the future”, ICE, 2018 and recipient of the ISOCARP Gerd Albers award on best book. Antonia also teaches part time at the Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich. The course, a Semester lecture Planning of Underground Space is taught to Master students in architecture, spatial development and civil engineering.