Chapter 1: The subsurface as the final urban frontier

Whenever we talk to people about underground space we hear exciting and enthusiastic stories. But we also meet desperation from trying to cope with the enormous complexity of the subsurface. There is a struggle in trying to comprehend what the subsurface is about and how to plan it. Using underground space is but a small part of a much larger puzzle that planners and geologists are trying to comprehend. However, people are pressing ahead, just like frontier pioneers from earlier times – as they see enormous opportunities and feel it is the only way forward as far as our cities are concerned.