Underground space: opportunity or a non sense option?

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Abstract

The growth of the world population and its movement to cities in search of better opportunities will continue to place urban infrastructures and the needs for housing, equipment and services under great pressure. This growing demand, which is expected to continue, poses major challenges to city management. The topic does not end with the issue of available space, but nowadays it is mainly focused on sustainability issues. For example, the costs associated with mobility (time and pollution) and the provision of services (operation and maintenance of urban services) place available space under great scrutiny. For architects, among other professionals, urban planning and design, thedesign ofdifferent uses and buildings, must take into account the dimension of the lifestyle it provides. Architecture as an art of creating the physical space where human activity takes place has to consider which spaces are best for each use, associating this placement in the territory with a way of life, providing private space and public space in a desirable balance for the development of a plural and happy society. This consideration of spaces for different uses has meant that, over time, the underground space has been used to house some of the activities. This allocation has been variable, but population growth and the need to make the best and most eficient use of available space opens up new perspectives.

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Short Curriculum

Born in Lisbon on the 30th of April 1965, has several degrees in Architecture, Environmental Planning, and Project Evaluation and Management. Before joining S+A to lead hospitality projects, he was Development Director of a real estate investment company, where he was responsible for a wide range of areas, namely: defining visions and concepts; coordination of land-use and urban planning proposals; development of environmental and sustainability strategies; development of architectural programs for the different types of buildings and equipment’s; management of relations with public authorities. He is also Auditor of the Portuguese sustainable construction certification scheme, LIDER.A. In 2018, he joined S+A as Senior Partner and coordinates Hospitality Projects.