Author(s)

D. Kaliampakos & A. Benardos

Abstract

Underground space development is an irreversible trend especially in urban environments. At this time the underground facilities have proved their usefulness in terms of efficiency and environmental friendliness. Nevertheless, in order to fully exploit the subsurface, new strategies need to be adopted in the whole context of city planning. This includes the introduction of new terms such as the valuation of the underground space, the adoption of integrated planning and zoning policies of the underground uses and the modernisation of the legal framework to incorporate the three-dimensional partition of the property. This paper discusses these issues, the adoption of which can lead to the development of a strategic underground plan, facilitating and further mobilising the hidden potential of underground space utilisation. Keywords: valuation of underground space, planning and zoning of the subsurface, ownership rights of underground space. 1 Introduction It has long been recognized that the utilization of the underground space represents a proficient choice to provide solutions to pressing urban problems. Nevertheless, underground projects have been rather focused, until the early 1970s, on the development of transportation infrastructure [1]. Nonetheless, the construction of major transit projects such as metros and road tunnels is just a prelude for the true nature of underground development. The latter encompasses the relocation of several surface land uses or activities, in which installation is difficult, impractical, less profitable, or even environmentally undesirable on the ground level, into subsurface built environments. In the last couple of decades

Keywords

valuation of underground space, planning and zoning of the subsurface, ownership rights of underground space.