Underground Spaces Unveiled: Planning and creating the cities of the future
Han Admiraal and Antonia Cornaro
2018
ICE (Thomas Telford)
pp. 210
This fascinating piece of writing by Admiraal and Cornaro opened a new world for me. Maybe those working in the fields of urban planning and design would not be as wide eyed at reading it. For me, this was a world of fictional tale brought into reality. So far I have only read of underground living spaces as part of fictional reality and although we see underground parking lots, warehouses and transport possibilities, and basements in some offices and homes, we rarely consider these as alternative living spaces or full time work spaces.
The authors put forth a strong case of exploring these spaces for optimal functioning and greater sustainability. I have a feeling, with the looming climate change and uncertainty, this may soon become the only viable option. Unless of course we find it easier to move to another planet! The challenges of property rights and the sustainability of structures are significant. I leave those to the legal and design professionals.
I am wondering how the use of underground space will transform social relations. For instance, would underground space use come at a premium? Or would it instead be a space relegated for the already marginalised? Would this become another space that we can destroy after destroying what’s on the surface? Or would this be our only hope of saving our planet?
In short, it is a thought provoking book. It brings to light how much has already been done and how much potential the underground space holds for us.
Han Admiraal and Antonia Cornaro
2018
ICE (Thomas Telford)
pp. 210
This fascinating piece of writing by Admiraal and Cornaro opened a new world for me. Maybe those working in the fields of urban planning and design would not be as wide eyed at reading it. For me, this was a world of fictional tale brought into reality. So far I have only read of underground living spaces as part of fictional reality and although we see underground parking lots, warehouses and transport possibilities, and basements in some offices and homes, we rarely consider these as alternative living spaces or full time work spaces.
The authors put forth a strong case of exploring these spaces for optimal functioning and greater sustainability. I have a feeling, with the looming climate change and uncertainty, this may soon become the only viable option. Unless of course we find it easier to move to another planet! The challenges of property rights and the sustainability of structures are significant. I leave those to the legal and design professionals.
I am wondering how the use of underground space will transform social relations. For instance, would underground space use come at a premium? Or would it instead be a space relegated for the already marginalised? Would this become another space that we can destroy after destroying what’s on the surface? Or would this be our only hope of saving our planet?
In short, it is a thought provoking book. It brings to light how much has already been done and how much potential the underground space holds for us.