Underground Spaces Unveiled: Planning and creating the cities of the future

by Han Admiraal (co-author), Antonia Cornaro (co-author)

Underground Spaces Unveiled is a broad overview of the concept of underground space development investigating the issues that are associated with the sustainable development of urban underground space. Underground Spaces Unveiled is a broad overview of the concept of underground space development investigating the issues that are associated with the sustainable development of urban underground space. This book shows the benefits, the possibilities and world-class examples of underground space development and how that translates into sustainable urbanisation. Underground Spaces Unveiled: approaches all aspects of urban underground space and brings together both past and present insights includes worldwide case studies from the perspectives or a civil engineer and an urban planner, offering a multi-faceted approach to the considerations of underground space use places urban underground space within the context of climate change, city resilience and rapid urbanisation discusses the various claims to the subsurface including the use for space versus the use for energy Written by an engineer and an urban planner ensuring a balanced view and wide appeal, the book is intended for civil engineers, urban planners, urban designers and architects as well as anyone involved with the future of urban development.

232 pages, Hardcover

Published March 8, 2018

About the author

Han Admiraal (1959) studied Civil Engineering at the University for Applied Science in Rotterdam. He obtained a MBA from Twente University. He worked for the Netherlands Government for 20 years, and was Project Manager for the first TBM driven tunnel in soft soil in the Netherlands. Han Admiraal became Executive Director of the COB knowledge centre, and stayed there for 10 years. At the same time, he was a part time professor of Underground Space at Zeeland University of Applied Science in Vlissingen. In 2008, he founded Enprodes Management Consultancy and is based in Delft. He is a strategist & thought leader on the use of underground space. In March 2018, his first book ‘Underground Spaces Unveiled’, written together with Antonia Cornaro, was published. He is co-chair of ITACUS, the ITA Committee on Underground Space.

Reviews

[Sapna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Underground Space Unveiled is all about Underground Space.
It defines, gives characteristics, present use, the potential use in relation to urban planning.

The highlights-
It emphasizes on the need for harmony between humans and nature, needs for planning subsurface- climate change resilience, preserving the archeological value, need for cross-discipline in underground space. The inclusion of time and space project variation in contemporary and historical time is impressive although the space dimension could be expanded further. The four-step model is ok. "How deep your tube" London illustration is interesting. The need for surface and subsurface integration in planning, the need for regulation and good financing, viable and sustainable models are some good ideas contained in the book.

Some dislikes-
Although I am a civil engineer myself despite that I found the book too boring until chapter 4 comes. Also, I won't say the language is interesting, maybe in order to make it simple, the authors have made is too vague at several places. And I think apart from the mentioned harms/ disasters of using subspace there is needs to include many more.

[Marcela Ruppli-Juin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Informative and entertaining with plenty of examples. Easy to grasp concepts explained for the non-technical experts in the subject. All in all a very interesting read!! Can only recommend!

[Toolika Wadhwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book discusses existing structures built in underground spaces and systematically explores the possibilities of further use of undergound spaces. The text although a bit technical, is fairly simple to understand. It is an engaging read.

[Mahak Agrawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book written by an incredible people- Antonia and Han.
A must read for everyone- I mean everyone not just urban planners or engineers. The book will change the way you travel, pass by or see an underground space.

[Mike Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, this topic has interested me since I was a child, so I thoroughly enjoyed reading this large-scale overview and all-encompassing survey. Even though it’s research heavy, it reads smoothly and makes what can potentially present itself and its content as highly complex accessible to pretty much anyone. Its clear organization walks you through a journey in each chapter, an overall journey from beginning to end, and at the end of each chapter provides a “This chapters core ideas” as a helpful reminder of the chapter and smooth transition to the next. As we push the limits of our vertical reach in cities, sprawl urban life more aggressively into rural zones, this book provides an in-depth overview of the metaphorical landscape, past, present and future, of the real-life subscape and all its issues, problems, and enormous potential, both as a long-term urban need and as a direct link and necessity for our future survival as the need for space, safe and properly planned space, expands. From planning, environmental/ecological concerns, design, sustainability, economics, social, and integration of subsurface with surface in multi-level uses, it was informative and intriguing. By the way, I’m still not sure how you zone for this underground or figure out ownership [private/public space, yours, mine, and ours…], if there can be such a thing, of subscapes and subspace in a possessive landscape and mining business world… All that said, it is rare book of any genre that you can’t put down, and this was one of those. It prompted my creative core, opened my mind to several interesting possibilities and needs/requirements, and related to several personal experiences with underground spaces.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our model for determining sustainable urban
underground development provides a holistic
appraisal method for determining sustainability
or for planning and designing for sustainability.
Using the previously discussed approaches, it
presents a four-step approach considering both
the past, present and the future. As such, it
aims at urban underground developments that
preserve the past, enhance the present and
respect the future.”
UndergroundSpaces_20.indd 39 06/02/2018 12:02

UndergroundSpaces is a very well researched and thoughtful approach to a redefinition on how humanity could reverse our negative and destructive use of the finite surface of our home the planet earth .

The authors took me through a journey of time and space by using judicious examples of past underground urban developement , past and present successful projects , exciting and thought provoking is underground farming , safe pollution and pesticide free food.

However all aspects of subsurface use are addressed , from utility to beauty and people friendly spaces . The authors expose potential difficulities in clear layman friendly prose . I found the technical passages fascinating and did not gloss over them .

On an aesthetic level , the layout of double columns made for uncomfortable reading , but this may be mainly due to the PDF format.

This is the sort of book I would have loved as a student . It opens doors and incites curiosity . This book is not frivolous nor is it utopic , however it is, I feel a visionary blueprint laying out with pragmatism real possibilities for a hopefilled future . Every university should have a copy as should all Urban planners . A layperson such as myself found it totally accessible ,comprehensible and fascinating .

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Underground Spaces Unveiled disrupts current thinking on underground spaces by presenting and proposing beautiful, functional, futuristic and very human uses. The authors clearly argue that cities need to avoid subsurface chaos by developing strategies that connect above and below ground. They go on to explain how careful, planned use of the subsurface is essential for sustainable development. The book is fascinating for anyone interested in the future of urban spaces. While the book is written for engineers, architects, urban planners and policy makers, it is easily understandable for all.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Underground Spaces Unveiled:Planning and creating the cities of the future by Hal Admiraal and Antonia Cornaro was an informative and interesting read as they make the case for use of the subsurface as an adjunct and compliment to our current topical living space. Throughout the book, the pair give scientific and historical evidence that supports the efficacy of exploring the underground as means not only for storage and transport of waste and energy materials but as a means to alleviate overcrowding on the roadways, housing, and other public gathering spaces. The authors also give evidence that supports the claim that utilizing underground spaces will help alleviate pollution and climate change currently challenging life in the 21st century. The book not only points out the concepts and ideas behind using the subsurface but cites numerous case studies and other examples of where this has been accomplished to a minor degree along with the legal, ecological , and social challenges encountered. Very informative and inspirational!

[Het · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the increasing population, the strain on our living space is very much evident. In view of that, the book is an informative and interesting read as they put forth the use of the subsurface as an adjunct and compliment to our current living space.
What works in favor of the books is that it provides scientific and historical evidence that supports the efficacy of exploring the underground as means not only for storage and transport of waste and energy but also as means to reduce overcrowding on the surface. There are also case studies mentioned that have been achieved somewhat but obviously there were other challenges.
What doesn't work is lack of more counter argument. Like yes there are disadvantages mentioned but more thorough information on that front would make for even more compelling read.
Overall good and informative read.