As New Yorkers demonstrate their resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, worldwide city authorities are once again reminded of their own challenges with regards to natural disaster preparedness. With a big question asked of them by the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction program (UNISDR) – How resilient is your city?

The ITA Committee on Underground Space (ITACUS) isworking with UNISDR on that very issue, demonstrating just how underground space can be used effectively, in a sustainable way, to help cities around the world increase their resilience to natural disasters. Currently, all over the world, the use of underground space is either underrated or needs to be rethought in order to make existing infrastructures more resilient. A fact that Han Admiraal, Chairman for ITACUS, hopes to change at ACUUS 2012 in Singapore, by raising awareness of the way in which underground space can prove to be a solid strategic planning asset in this battle for preparedness.