From August 27 to 31, 2025, a delegation led by Prof. Dimitris Kaliampakos, the former Chair of the International Associated Research Centres for the Urban Underground Space (ACUUS), Prof. Andreas Benardos, the General Manager of ACUUS, and Acad. Zhou Yingxin, Director for Asia (Singapore) of ACUUS, conducted a five-day exchange and study tour in China.
The visit was successfully organized with comprehensive coordination and support from the Jiangsu Underground Space Society and Guangdong Shuangwei Culture Technology Group Co., Ltd. The delegation visited Nanjing, Chongqing and other places successively, went deep into enterprises and scientific research institutions, comprehensively investigated China’s practical achievements in underground space development, technological innovation and urban integration, and laid a solid foundation for tACUUS 2027, the 20th World Conference of the Associated Research Centres for the Urban Underground Space, which will be held in Nanjing, China in 2027.
1.Engaging in In-Depth Exchanges to Experience the Charm of China
On August 27–28, the delegation visited the Underground Space Museum and held discussions with the Jiangsu Underground Space Society on key topics, including the planning of ACUUS 2027 and further strengthening collaboration.
Subsequently, the delegation toured the Large-Diameter Shield Tunneling Technology Museum to gain an in-depth understanding of China’s engineering practices and breakthroughs in large-diameter shield tunneling technology. The group also visited JSTI Group Co., Ltd. to explore its innovative achievements in urban underground space planning, design, and green operation and maintenance. Additionally, the ACUUS delegation conducted a special inspection of the Nanjing International Expo Center, the main venue for ACUUS 2027, and expressed approval of its facilities, transportation accessibility, and service support.
Photo: Group photo of the delegation
On August 29, the 2nd Asia-Pacific Underground Space and Urban Sustainable Development Conference, along with the 17th Jiangsu Underground Space Academic Conference, opened at the Singapore-Nanjing Eco High-Tech Island. Under the theme “Intelligent and Sustainable Underground Space for the Future,” the conference brought together over 200 experts, scholars, industry leaders, and corporate representatives from China and abroad.
Photo: Venue of the Second Asia-Pacific Underground Space and Urban Sustainable Development Conference
The conference was attended by distinguished experts and scholars, including Prof. Dimitris Kaliampakos, Prof. Andreas Benardos, Acad. Zhou Yingxin, Prof. Zhang Junyi (Foreign Fellow of the Japanese Academy of Engineering), as well as leaders from the Jiangsu Association for Science and Technology and the Nanjing Eco High-Tech Island Economic Development Zone.
During the opening ceremony, the *Jiangsu Underground Space Development Report 2025* was released. Prof. Kaliampakos, Prof. Benardos, and Acad. Zhou Yingxin delivered keynote speeches, sharing cutting-edge international technologies and development experiences. The conference provided a high-level exchange platform for the underground space sector in the Asia-Pacific region, playing a significant role in promoting the scientific development and sustainable advancement of urban underground space.
Photo: Release of the Jiangsu Underground Space Development Report 2025
Photo: Prof. Kaliampakos, Prof. Benardos, Acad. Zhou Yingxin.
delivering keynote speeches
On August 30, the delegation arrived in Chongqing, known as the “Mountain City,” to attend the award ceremony of the 3rd Underground Space Popular Science Creative Competition (“Zhuofang Cup”) and the 2nd Green Exploration Summit Forum. Under the theme “Developing Underground Space, Building Resilient Communities,” the event gathered industry experts and scholars to discuss cutting-edge issues in underground space development and green exploration.
Prof. Kaliampakos and Acad. Zhou Yingxin delivered keynote speeches at the conference, sharing international perspectives and innovative practices. Prof. Benardos presented an engaging and insightful popular science report, deepening participants’ interest in underground space science.
As international judges of the competition, Prof. Kaliampakos, Prof. Benardos, and Acad. Zhou Yingxin provided professional evaluations of the submitted popular science works, offering valuable suggestions based on criteria such as scientific rigor, creativity, and communication effectiveness. During the event, the delegation also visited Zhuofang Drilling Group to learn about its industry-academia-research collaborations and the application of new technologies such as drones and digital drilling.
Photo: Competition Venue
2.International Academic Gathering Reconnects with China
The International Associated Research Centres for the Urban Underground Space (ACUUS) was established in the 1980s and stands as the largest and most influential international academic organization in the field of urban underground space. Its conference is recognized as the premier global academic gathering in the underground space sector.
Officially confirmed by ACUUS, ACUUS 2027 will be held in Nanjing, China. The conference will be jointly organized by ACUUS and the Jiangsu Underground Space Society (JSUSS), among other institutions. This marks the conference’s return to mainland China after a 16-year hiatus since the ACUUS conference in Shenzhen in 2009. The event aims to establish international cooperative relationships, enabling Chinese enterprises to expand into overseas markets and introduce advanced foreign technologies and management expertise. Simultaneously, it will help international enterprises gain a better understanding of the Chinese market, fostering mutual benefit and win-win outcomes for all parties involved.
Through this visit, the ACUUS Presidium has fully affirmed China’s rapid development and innovation capabilities in the field of underground space. They have gained a more intuitive and in-depth understanding of the current state of China’s underground space development and its conference-hosting capabilities, expressing strong confidence in the successful hosting of ACUUS 2027.
The conference PCO, Guangdong Shuangwei Culture Technology Group Co., Ltd., assisted in arranging the related meetings and corporate visits during this tour, providing comprehensive logistical and coordination support. All parties have unanimously committed to collaborating closely to ensure the complete success of the ACUUS 2027.
ACUUS 2027 will feature multiple parallel forums and exhibition displays, offering a multifaceted platform to showcase the deep integration of global experience sharing and China’s practical advancements.
