Developing underground spaces in Chinese new towns: The case of Nanqiao

As a non-renewable and irreplaceable natural resource, underground space plays a vital role in developing cities. Therefore, many cities have included underground space development in their urban master plans as an essential strategy. With the deepening of urbanization, the construction of new towns is in full swing in China. New towns need to meet the socio-economic development needs of industrial and population migration in the central city, but at the same time need to take into account the livability, resilience, and sustainable development of the city. Therefore, the rational development of underground space has become a critical consideration in constructing new towns. Although the development of underground space in new towns is not as complicated as the development of underground space in old cities, the planning of new towns is complex because they are in the initial stage of construction, and uncertainty is intense. The sustainable use of underground space resources and the judgment of the direction of underground space development are problematic. This paper explores underground space development strategies, difficulties, and applications in Chinese new towns, using Nanqiao New Town as a case study.