Cities that are capable of functioning both in social and hygienic terms form the prerequisite for a decent life in built-up areas. Underground space has an important role to play in this respect, i.e. in the achievement of environmentally-friendly development, whether it be in the reduction of pollution or noise nuisance, the efficient use of space, economic development, the preservation of the living environment, public health or safety. In these fields, it offers numerous advantages.

• Tunnels play a vital environmental role by conveying clean water to and by conveying wastewater out from urban areas.
  
  
• Tunnels provide safe, environmentally sound, fast, and unobtrusive urban mass transit systems.
  
  
• City traffic tunnels clear vehicles from surface streets, traffic noise is reduced, air becomes less polluted and the surface street areas may partially be used for other purposes.
  
  
• Underground car parks and shopping malls in city centres leave room for recreation areas and playgrounds above ground.
  
  
• Multipurpose utility tunnels are less vulnerable to external conditions than surface installations and will cause only insignificant disturbance above ground when installed equipments are repaired or maintained.

Indirect benefits. The assessment of underground structures is strongly related to the community valuation of drawbacks of surface or aerial structures in terms of environmental degradation. 

Read more>>

Social Balance. More and more, in a sustainable development aproach, the PIB is no longer the only value to take into account.  Read more>>