Pathways and pitfalls to better sub-urban planning

Abstract

Increasing urbanisation challenges the sustainability and resilience of cit-ies world-wide. At the same time, often overlooked are the resources and opportunities in the ground beneath cities.

This is one of the reasons why a European network of specialists joined together with the aim of improving the understanding and use of under-ground space. The participants of COST Sub-Urban Action (2013-2017) display a cross-section of skills and knowledge of subsurface issues in 31 European countries and 26 cities. After sharing their experiences, the common pathways (and pitfalls) to good planning became more evident. A key recommendation from this Action was improving communication between urban subsurface experts and urban planners.