The role of underground space in a sustainable UK Urban environment

One of the objectives currently practiced in the UK urban planning policy is the achievement of strong sustainability credentials. During the current century much attention has been paid to sustainability improvement in urban environments and it has become one of the current principle concerns of urban planners. Throughout the past two decades the UK has made great efforts to develop, apply and assess sustainability. However little has been done concerning the interrelationship between what is located above ground and what is located below ground, either in the present or the near future. In terms of achieving sustainability. concerns have arisen with regard to the cost effectiveness, resource conflicts and master planning. The particular focus of this paper is to extend former discussions about the use of underground space in urban areas with the intention of addressing the growing focus 011 the sustainability of current urban development trends and to review how urban infrastructures are (or could be) provided. Since all the required data to give conclusive evidence about the sustainability of underground structures either has not been collected or depend heavily to other elements, this paper provides a framework that highlights the major issues that have to be considered and documents the current understanding related to these issues. References to major publications and contributions are specified to support further enquiry in this area.