Interview with Antonia Cornaro - When Cities Go Underground
The article explores how underground space can contribute to more sustainable, resilient and liveable cities.
Antonia Cornaro, underground space expert at Amberg Engineering and chair of the ITA Committee on Underground Space (ITACUS), has been interviewed by World Construction Network’s article, “When Cities Go Underground”.
The feature examines how cities can respond to growing populations, increasing pressure on surface land and the impacts of climate change by making better use of the subsurface. Examples from cities around the world illustrate how underground networks, public facilities and commercial spaces can complement urban life above ground.
For Antonia Cornaro, underground space remains an essential yet often overlooked dimension of urban development. As cities become denser, the subsurface offers opportunities to accommodate infrastructure and public functions while preserving valuable surface space for nature, public areas and everyday life.
Realising this potential requires more than pure engineering expertise. Integrated planning, collaboration between urban planners, architects, engineers and geologists, and a three-dimensional understanding of the urban environment are essential to developing effective underground solutions.
The article also highlights the challenges involved, including geological conditions, construction costs, ventilation, access to natural light and climate-related risks such as flooding. Addressing these considerations early in the planning process is key to ensuring that underground developments are functional, sustainable and resilient.
Through her work at Amberg Engineering and her involvement with ITACUS, Antonia Cornaro advocates for greater recognition of underground space in urban planning and policy. Integrating the subsurface into development strategies from the outset can help cities make more informed use of their available space and create new opportunities for sustainable urban development.
Read the full article in World Construction Network
