INSIGHT | ITACUS - EXPERIENCE OF UNDERGROUND ENVIRONMENTS
PSYCHOLOGY AND EXPERIENCE OF UNDERGROUND ENVIRONMENTS
Underground metro hubs are adopting scientific insights into the psychological aspects of
how people feel when transiting through tunnels. The possibilities for design are discussed by Mahak Agrawal, an urban planner, climate science and sustainability expert, and public policy professional who is currently leading All Bits Count (ABC) and is a Steering Board Member (Urban Adaptation) of the ITA-AITES Committee on Underground Space (ITACUS)
INTRODUCTION The subterranean world has long held a dual role in human consciousness: as a place of refuge and a space of unease. Historically, underground environments have served
as both protective shelters—ranging from ancient cave dwellings to wartime bunkers—and as settings of mystery, secrecy, and even fear. Today, as cities face unprecedented challenges in urban expansion, climate resilience, and infrastructure sustainability, underground spaces are becoming an integral part of urban development. However, beyond their structural and engineering feasibility, the success of these environments hinges on human perception, psychology, and experience. As an urban planner and climate resilience expert
who has worked across diverse geographies, I have witnessed first-hand the impact of well-designed underground spaces on public well-being and mobility. While engineers, architects, and urban planners focus on the structural and functional aspects of these spaces, understanding how people interact with, navigate through, and psychologically respond to underground environments is just as critical. Poorly designed underground spaces can evoke discomfort, disorientation, and even resistance to their use, while well-designed ones can enhance accessibility, safety, and even cultural engagement. This article delves into the intricate psychological
dimensions of underground environments, examining how design elements such as light, space, and acoustics influence human perception. It also highlights the role of art, culture, and user-centred approaches in transforming subterranean spaces from sterile transit corridors into immersive, dynamic extensions of urban life.
Above: Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay MRT station IMAGES COURTESY OF MAHAK AGRAWAL
32 | April 2025
By integrating both scientific research and real-world examples, this discussion aims to provide valuable
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