Out of Space, Hong Kong Considers Expanding Underground

Conceptual drawing for an underground cavern that could be dug under a park in Hong Kong.

Conceptual drawing for an underground cavern that could be dug under a park in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Geotechnical Engineering Office has long been a pioneer in the industry thanks in part to the limited space available on the island and the presence of many geological hazards such as landslides and earthquakes. It is the lack of space that drove the commissioning of report conducted by the office and Arup titled ‘Enhanced Use of Underground Space in Hong Kong Feasibility Study’. This report points out that 64% of the island has rock suitable for development of underground structures, and these would be potentially ideal locations for undesirable facilities such as sewage treatment plans and trash facilities in turn freeing up valuable real estate. [Source: LiveScience. Image: Live Science (from the report)]