SHAFTS, CAVERNS | ITACUS COURSE
KONG’S UNDERGROUND POTENTIAL
UNLOCKING HONG
Unlocking the underground potential in Hong Kong was the focus of a recent workshop held by the Young Professionals Think Deep Programme. The findings showed how underground spaces can by dynamic, people-centered environments, explains Petr Salak, Managing Director, Dr. Sauer & Partners Israel, founding member of Think Deep UK, and a Steering Board Member of ITACUS
INTRODUCTION Hong Kong’s dense urban landscape is always pushing the boundaries of space optimisation. With land scarcity and a growing population, the city has long embraced underground infrastructure. But how can subterranean spaces be used more efficiently to meet future needs? The Young Professionals Think Deep Programme
(YPTDP) set out to answer that question. In October 2024, a diverse group of young professionals came together in Hong Kong for an intensive workshop focused on underground development. This article explores the key takeaways from the programme and the forward-thinking ideas it produced.
THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS THINK DEEP PROGRAMME The YPTDP is a global initiative by the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) and the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association’s Committee on Underground Space (ITACUS). The goal? To foster collaboration between urban planners, geotechnical engineers, architects, and tunnelling experts to develop new approaches to underground urban planning. Hong Kong was a natural choice for the 2024
workshop. Its complex topography, land constraints, and well-developed underground infrastructure made it an ideal case study. Over five days, participants worked alongside experienced mentors to propose solutions that could shape the future of underground space in the city. The event was hosted in collaboration with the Hong
Kong Institution of Engineers Geotechnical Division (HKIEGD), with guidance from experts Antonia Cornaro, Mahak Agrawal, and Özgür Öztürk. Organising efforts were led by Petr Salak (ITACUS), Rolf Schuett (ISOCARP), and Tony Ho (HKIEGD).
HONG KONG & UNDERGROUND SPACE With steep hillsides, limited developable land, and growing demand for infrastructure, Hong Kong has already embraced underground development. Key examples include its deep MTR stations, underground sewage treatment plants, and data centres. The Cavern Master Plan, launched by the Hong Kong
Government, has identified 48 strategic cavern areas that could support further subterranean expansion. However, there is still untapped potential. Could
underground spaces support housing, commercial use, or even cultural facilities? The YPTDP workshop set out to explore new ways to maximise underground land use, considering economic, environmental, and social factors.
Above: ISOCARP/ITACUS course explored underground space potential in Hong Kong IMAGES COURTESY OF ITACUS
24 | April 2025
FIVE TEAMS, FIVE VISIONS The YPTDP workshop participants were split into five interdisciplinary teams, each tasked with reimagining
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