Available land space in our urban areas is at a premium. The UN estimates the global population will reach 9.8 billion by 2050, with nearly 70% living in urban centers. That's why city planners, engineers and architects are exploring underground. In Singapore, the Jurong Rock Caverns (pictured here in 2014) store liquid hydrocarbons roughly 150 meters below ground -- freeing up precious land above.
Available land space in our urban areas is at a premium. The UN estimates the global population will reach 9.8 billion by 2050, with nearly 70% living in urban centers. That's why city planners, engineers and architects are exploring underground. In Singapore, the Jurong Rock Caverns (pictured here in 2014) store liquid hydrocarbons roughly 150 meters below ground -- freeing up precious land above.
Edgar Su/Reuters/Alamy Stock Photo
Singapore is also working on an underground master plan, which includes the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS), a massive network of underground tunnels to help conserve another precious resource: water. Expected to be complete in 2026, the DTSS will free up 150 hectares of land above ground.
Singapore is also working on an underground master plan, which includes the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS), a massive network of underground tunnels to help conserve another precious resource: water. Expected to be complete in 2026, the DTSS will free up 150 hectares of land above ground.
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Many believe the future of subterranean urban planning revolves around utilities, rather than living spaces. But there are some examples, including Coober Pedy, in South Australia, where residents have <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2Fplace%2FCoober-Pedy" target="_blank" target="_blank">built homes, churches and hotels underground</a> to escape the extreme heat.
Many believe the future of subterranean urban planning revolves around utilities, rather than living spaces. But there are some examples, including Coober Pedy, in South Australia, where residents have built homes, churches and hotels underground to escape the extreme heat.
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Other modern cities, including Montreal, Canada, are utilizing underground space for people. The city has one of the largest subterranean pedestrian networks in the world, spanning more than 30 kilometers.
Other modern cities, including Montreal, Canada, are utilizing underground space for people. The city has one of the largest subterranean pedestrian networks in the world, spanning more than 30 kilometers.
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Across human history, there have been ancient civilizations who worked and lived underground -- including in these cave structures in Cappadocia, Turkey.
Across human history, there have been ancient civilizations who worked and lived underground -- including in these cave structures in Cappadocia, Turkey.
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In Naours, France, the Cite Souterraine (underground city) consists of dwellings, chapels, and even a bakery -- and at one point in the 17th century, housed roughly <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.atlasobscura.com%2Fplaces%2Fcite-souterraine-de-naours-underground-city-of-naours" target="_blank" target="_blank">3,000 people</a>.
In Naours, France, the Cite Souterraine (underground city) consists of dwellings, chapels, and even a bakery -- and at one point in the 17th century, housed roughly 3,000 people.
Remy de la Mauviniere/AP
For those who want a taste of what life could be like underground, hotels like Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita in Matera, Italy, offer a luxurious opportunity.
For those who want a taste of what life could be like underground, hotels like Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita in Matera, Italy, offer a luxurious opportunity.
Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
The Shenkeng Intercontinental Hotel in China, which opened in 2018, descends deep into the side of a rock quarry for a mix of underground feel and natural light.
The Shenkeng Intercontinental Hotel in China, which opened in 2018, descends deep into the side of a rock quarry for a mix of underground feel and natural light.
Zhao Jian Kang/Adobe Stock