Investigating the Feasibility of Underground Construction for Urban Development Projects

CIVIL

The abstract outlines a study conducted within the Deep City project at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), focusing on the mapping method developed and applied to San Antonio, Texas. The study addresses the common tendency in urban growth to overlook the underground until surface alternatives are exhausted, leading to conflicts and missed opportunities. The challenge lies in how underground potentials are assessed, often fragmented across disciplines and administrative divisions. The paper introduces an innovative mapping strategy, the production of interaction maps, alongside resource potential maps. San Antonio serves as a case study due to its lack of major underground infrastructure and limited support for short-term underground development. By mapping the combined potentiality of underground resources, the study aims to provide a compass for interdisciplinary discussions, positioning the urban underground as a source of opportunity rather than an afterthought. The research situates itself within broader theoretical and philosophical contexts, emphasizing the importance of holistic approaches to urban planning and development.

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