Plans for the Use of Underground Spaces & 5 Strategies to Build Value

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“Underground spaces” have been developed as a space-saving resource as populations concentrate in the centers of Japan’s metropolitan cities, the use of land aboveground intensifies and land prices soar. This has resulted in the formation of a vast underground network connecting multiple subway stations, underground shopping malls, and buildings in surrounding areas. This underground space, which boosts convenience for users and creates an energetic space for interaction, contributes significantly to the value of the surrounding blocks.
The Civil Engineering Group, Urban and Civil Project Department, Nikken Sekkei (hereinafter called "Civil Engineering Group") has a substantial track record in the development of these types of underground spaces. In recent years, the Civil Engineering Group has teamed up with the Architectural Design Department　to develop urban spaces that integrate areas above and below ground in various parts of China. The capacity to deliver integrated proposals is arguably an advantage of Nikken Sekkei.
Emerging issues in the increasingly urbanized nation of China include high density, lack of parking spaces, traffic congestion, and vulnerability to disasters. In order to offer comprehensive solutions to these problems, we propose the creation of high value-added underground spaces through five strategies that we have developed and refined in Japan.

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Classic case in Japan (Underground mall, Diamor Osaka Bright, open underground space filled with sunlight Classic case in Japan (Underground mall, Diamor Osaka
Bright, open underground space filled with sunlight

Classic example in Japan (Queen's Square YOKOHAMA, Minato-Mirai Station) Multi-floor atrium space connecting the spaces aboveground to the subway platform on level B4 Classic example in Japan (Queen's Square YOKOHAMA, Minato-Mirai Station)
Multi-floor atrium space connecting the spaces aboveground to the subway platform on level B4

Strategy 1: Creation of iconic public spaces

The image of spaces underground is inevitably one that is dark and closed in a one-size-fits-all design. What we want to introduce here is an iconic public space, for example, a spectacular underground area with natural light streaming in from an opening in a vaulted ceiling and breezes blowing through, or what could be called a “sunken garden”. People will naturally gather in bright, expansive and open spaces that they do not expect to see underground. Used as a mechanism to spontaneously create a festive atmosphere and generate economic activity, this type of space increases the value of the city.

  • District S, China Bright space that always comes to life regardless of the weather District S, China
    Bright space that always comes to life regardless of the weather

  • Suzhou City/Suzhou Taihu Wuzhong CBD Distinctive underground entrance incorporating signage Suzhou City/Suzhou Taihu Wuzhong CBD
    Distinctive underground entrance incorporating signage

Strategy 2: Create lush areas to turn grey zones into green zones

Proposals look to create lushly green areas both underground and in semi-basement areas to cast aside the grey image found in closed underground spaces. An open space where people can enjoy the natural greenery, even while underground, creates a safe and comfortable space for visitors.

Classic example in Japan (Tokyo, Izumi Garden) Creation of rich, green spaces for people to gather in underground levels Classic example in Japan (Tokyo, Izumi Garden)
Creation of rich, green spaces for people to gather in underground levels

Strategy 3: Form a pedestrian network that encourages people to wander

Underground spaces must be seamlessly connected. Even if the management of subway stations, underground passageways, and underground shopping malls are different, pedestrians can easily wander about if these are organically connected. Connecting adjacent buildings underground eliminates the need to go aboveground when moving from one building to the next.
Smooth, vertical movement between underground and aboveground levels is the goal. Proposals are also made to develop a flow line that connects underground spaces with levels aboveground in a three-dimensional design, such as by installing escalator halls in atriums that run vertically through all levels. In addition, mobility can be further improved with the installation of aerial decks on second-floor levels to connect buildings. It is possible to develop such diverse pedestrian networks in urban development that integrates both underground and aboveground spaces.

  • Plan for underground space along a railway line of SS Road in, Suzhou City Connecting buildings with a network offering mobility from underground spaces to aboveground levels using decks Plan for underground space along a railway line of SS Road in, Suzhou City
    Connecting buildings with a network offering mobility from underground spaces to aboveground levels using decks

  • Central Suzhou Underground shopping mall where pedestrians can move easily with a design providing vertical continuity Central Suzhou
    Underground shopping mall where pedestrians can move easily with a design providing vertical continuity

Strategy 4: Reduce traffic loads aboveground with an underground transportation network

In China, the demand for parking spaces has increased along with the development of subways. By using areas aboveground as entrances to high-rise buildings and installing underground parking lots on the second basement floor and even lower, it will be possible to satisfy demand for land and achieve the utilization of space that will generate revenue.
From early on, the Civil Engineering Group has proposed underground parking networks in Japan that organically connect and integrate underground parking lots for multiple buildings with special passages. Even if a parking lot in one building is full, this type of design has improved convenience for the use of parking lots in other buildings that are connected underground and has leveled off usage rates. The number of entrance gates where cars stop temporarily can be reduced, which also helps reduce traffic loads aboveground. This technique is also used in plans for underground parking in China.

  • Integration and development of underground parking The image to the right shows multiple buildings sharing commercial areas and parking lots Integration and development of underground parking
    The image to the right shows multiple buildings sharing commercial areas and parking lots

  • Underground space in Hexi District, Tianjin Cultural Center Complex underground network Underground space in Hexi District, Tianjin Cultural Center Complex underground network

Expansion of underground shopping mall at Haiyan Station on Line 1 (Ningbo Rail Transit) and central park Connections between the bus terminal and underground mall provides smooth access from the mall to the bus stop Expansion of underground shopping mall at Haiyan Station on Line 1 (Ningbo Rail Transit) and central park
Connections between the bus terminal and underground mall provides smooth access from the mall to the bus stop

Strategy 5: Support safety and security with disaster mitigation simulations

As a result of global warming in recent years, torrential rains occur frequently around China. Underground spaces are extremely vulnerable to flooding, and there are issues with limited evacuation routes. Fires also claim many lives. The development of underground spaces requires not only the development of infrastructure, but also measures to prevent disasters. At the Civil Engineering Group, we use analytical tools to simulate disaster risks and put together evacuation plans by pinpointing what areas will flood in the event of torrential rains and evaluating how flames and smoke spread in a fire.

  • Results of flooding analysis Results of flooding analysis

  • Examining fire disaster data Examining fire disaster data

Underground spaces developed at prohibitive costs must not become a negative legacy in the future. Therefore, it is important to maintain value and appeal that will allow the space to respond flexibly to changes in the times. For example, with underground parking, it will be necessary to create spaces and mechanisms that can convert quality control and the application of parking lots with the expectation that car ownership rates will decrease with the evolution of mobility and the spread of car sharing.
The Civil Engineering Group is using the experiences we have honed in Japan to promote plans that utilize underground spaces that look ahead to the future of China.


<photos>
Photo 1: Queen's Square YOKOHAMA, Minato-Mirai Station,
SS Co.,Ltd Nozomu Shimao
Photo 2 (left): Diamor Osaka, Karamatsu Photograph Office (Minoru Karamatsu)
Photo 2 (right): Queen's Square YOKOHAMA, Minato-Mirai Station,
SHINOZAWA Architectural Photo Office
Photo 4: Izumi Garden, Kawasumi Kobayashi Kenji Photograph Office

  • Norikazu Inuzuka

    Norikazu Inuzuka

    Designer
    General Manager
    Civil Engineering Group
    Urban and Civil Project Department

    Norikazu Inuzuka joined Nikken Sekkei in 1997 after graduating from the Department of Social Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. He transferred to Nikken Sekkei Civil Engineering Ltd. after its spin-off from Nikken Sekkei in 2001.
    He has involved a lot in development of master plan, urban development plan etc.
    He has arranged and controlled progress of the projects, which are mainly city planning master plan, as Project Manager. In addition, he has specialized in land use planning and urban design.　
    He has a vast amount of experience, mainly in Vietnam, and is currently working on projects in China.
    He is able to come up with engineering solutions in complicated and difficult projects. And also he is able to formulate plans that are pleased with clients because of his good sense of design and unique ideas. He is able to manage large scale projects with many team members.

  • Ryosuke Kimura

    Ryosuke Kimura

    Designer
    Associate
    Civil Engineering Group
    Urban and Civil Project Department

    Ryosuke Kimura joined Nikken Sekkei in 1996 after graduating from the Department of Urban Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at The University of Tokyo. He transferred to Nikken Sekkei Civil Engineering Ltd. after its spin-off from Nikken Sekkei in 2001.
    He has involved a lot in development of master plan, urban development plan, resort development plan etc. In particularly, he has abundant experience in Vietnam, China and Laos, and has been in charge of integrated development projects for above- and below-ground structures around China, including projects that have already been completed, such as the Eastern New Town in Ningbo and Fuzhou Financial District. In 2019, he was presented with the Gold Award at the Vietnam National Urban Planning Awards (VUPA).
    He has arranged and controlled progress of the projects, which are mainly city planning master plan, as Project Manager. Most of his works have obtained excellent results therefore he has gained a high reputation from clients. He is able to come up with engineering solutions in complicated and difficult projects. And also he is able to formulate plans that are pleased with clients because of his good sense of design and unique ideas. He is able to manage large scale projects with many team members.

  • Satoshi Ueda

    Satoshi Ueda

    Designer
    Associate
    Civil Engineering Group
    Urban and Civil Project Department

    Satoshi Ueda joined Nikken Sekkei Civil Engineering Ltd. in 2011 after graduating from the School of Environmental Science/Graduate School of Environmental Science at The University of Shiga. He has a broad range of experience in numerous projects in China and Vietnam on the development of master plans, urban development, and plans for designing underground spaces. He is the recipient of Vietnam’s National Architecture Award for his work on reviewing the master plan of Tam Ky City in Quang Nam Province, and received the Executive Director’s Award from the Bureau of Urban Development, Tokyo Metropolitan Government for his work on designing BRT facilities connecting the city center with urban sub-centers along the coast in fiscal 2018.

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