The World Forum on Underground Urban Transportation organized by the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, took place the 13 October, 2021 at 14:00 CEST through a zoom webinar. This webinar which gathered more than 550 participants, was a side event of the Second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference which was held on 14-16 October 2021 in Beijing, China. This UN conference underscored the importance of sustainable transport for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.  During this side event, examples of transport tunnels and underground spaces were presented. All of them have brought progress for the environment, human well-being, health…

The following examples featured: Underground Urban Transports for Sustainable Cities all over the world, M30 -Madrid in Spain, SMART Tunnel in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Alaskan Way Tunnel in Seattle (US), Sao Paolo Metro in Brazil, Chinese integrated rail hubs.

Cities that are capable of functioning both in social and hygienic terms form the prerequisite for a decent life in built-up areas. Underground space has an important role to play in this respect, i.e. in the achievement of environmentally-friendly development, whether it be in the reduction of pollution or noise nuisance, the efficient use of space, economic development, the preservation of the living environment, public health or safety. In these fields, it offers numerous advantages.

For nearly 50 years the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association is promoting the use of underground space for a better sustainable development. Most of underground projects are answering the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and notably the SDGs 3, 7 and 11.

If you were unable to participate during the live webinar presentation or want to review it, a recorded version is available on ITA Youtube chanel at the following link: https://youtu.be/o6WlXg1pWSQ