Above: The course saw five teams reimagine potential opportunities for visionary tunnels and cavern projects in Hong Kong
how underground spaces could be integrated into Hong Kong’s urban fabric. Their proposals reflected a mix of transport, commercial, cultural, and climate-resilient solutions.
Team A: Nexify Horizon – A New Underground Hub in Island West Team A focused on Island West, a prime location for underground expansion. Their project, Nexify Horizon, proposed an integrated network of underground public spaces, including mobility hubs, logistics centres, and community zones. The design emphasised flexibility, allowing spaces to evolve as the city’s needs change. Sustainability was a key priority, with renewable energy solutions and climate adaptation strategies embedded into the design.
Team B: Transforming Quarries into Underground Districts Building on Hong Kong’s existing underground quarrying practices, Team B introduced a 4D planning concept that linked excavation with long-term urban use. Initially, the quarries would supply construction materials, but once depleted, they would be converted into commercial and recreational spaces—housing data centres, logistics hubs, and leisure facilities. This approach ensured that underground development could evolve alongside the city’s needs.
Team C: A Subterranean Transport Hub Team C tackled one of Hong Kong’s biggest urban challenges—traffic congestion. Their solution? A multi-modal underground transport hub that seamlessly integrated metro, bus, pedestrian, and logistics networks. By relocating transport functions underground, the plan would free up surface land for green spaces and public areas, improving overall urban livability.
Team D: Culture Beneath the City Hong Kong has no shortage of cultural venues, but finding affordable space for the arts remains a challenge. Team D proposed an underground cultural and entertainment district, featuring theaters, art galleries, and performance spaces. To make the
underground experience more inviting, their design incorporated fibre-optic daylighting systems and smart ventilation.
Team E: Resilient Underground Spaces for Climate Adaptation With typhoons and rising sea levels threatening Hong Kong’s infrastructure, Team E focused on underground disaster resilience. Their proposal featured emergency shelters, flood-proof storage, and adaptable underground spaces that could be used both for community activities and disaster response. Their approach highlighted the growing need for climate- adaptive underground infrastructure in coastal cities.
CONCLUSION The YPTDP workshop in Hong Kong demonstrated how underground development can play a critical role in sustainable urban planning. Each team’s proposal showcased the versatility of subterranean spaces, addressing transport efficiency, land scarcity, cultural needs, and climate resilience. By leveraging the Cavern Master Plan and
incorporating forward-thinking design principles, the participants proved that underground spaces can be more than just hidden infrastructure—they can be dynamic, people-centered environments.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS A special thank you to HKIEGD, ISOCARP, ITACUS, and all professionals who contributed to this initiative. Acknowledgment also goes to Mark Wallace, David Lam, S. W. Lee, Roy Hung, Y. C. Lam, Jason Hilgefort, Regis Chee, and Mickey Goh, whose expertise and guidance were invaluable. The findings of this workshop will be published in
spring 2025, providing key insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and the general public. As urbaniSation accelerates worldwide, initiatives like the YPTDP are essential in shaping the future of underground development.
LIST OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS Mariia Smoliakova, Arthur Nixon, Akhilesh Singh Shisodia, Tarang Matia, Joris Lieftinck, Pavlina Sehnalova, Madina Zhapekova, Bettina Bouëte, Arman Kuandykov, Viviane Viniarski, Andrea Marcolini.
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