Earlier, during an exclusive interview, Professor Dimitris Kaliampakos, President of the Associated Research Centres for the Urban Underground Space (ACUUS), shared his profound reflections on visiting China and revealed the deeper considerations behind choosing Nanjing as the host city for ACUUS 2027. As an international expert who has been connected with China for over two decades, he offered unique insights into the development journey and future potential of China’s underground space.
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Two Decades of Connection:
From Long-Term Observation to Deep-Rooted Appreciation
“Actually, I’ve been coming to China for over 20 years now. I am truly delighted to witness the tremendous progress China has consistently made,” said the Chairman of ACUUS during the interview. As a long-time observer of global urbanization, he particularly emphasized his experiences from the inspection in Nanjing: “Over the past two days, in Nanjing, one of China’s most modern cities, I have seen some truly major initiatives in underground development.” These remarks not only reflect his enduring attention to China’s progress but also underscore how the country’s achievements in the field of underground space have earned high recognition from internationally authoritative experts.
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Nanjing:
A Convergence of Traditional and Modern Wisdom
When asked why Nanjing was chosen as the host city for ACUUS 2027, the Chairman provided a thoughtful response: “We have always sought something special for our conference host city. We engage in east-west exchanges of experiences to explore new potentials and everything that helps us understand the significance and importance of underground space.”
He further elaborated on Nanjing’s unique advantages: “Nanjing plays a significant role in underground development, not just at the national level, but undoubtedly at an international level as well. Therefore, holding the congress in Nanjing offers an excellent opportunity to learn from and reference how to achieve modern development in underground space.”
Nanjing is precisely such an ideal location. This ancient capital, which has woven a millennium of cultural heritage into the very fabric of its streets and alleys, is now composing new chapters of the era with poised grace. An extensive metro network forms the backbone of its multidimensional transportation system, underground commercial complexes link vibrant urban nodes, and smart utility tunnels serve as the city’s municipal nerve center… Here, tradition and modernity blend seamlessly, forging a distinctive “Chinese model” that builds on cultural foundations and empowers development through intelligence.
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The 2027 Congress:
Nanjing is Making Perfect Preparations
ACUUS officially confirmed that Nanjing, China, has secured the hosting rights for the 20th World Conference of the Associated Research Centrers for the Urban Underground Space (ACUUS 2027).
The 20th World Conference of the Associated Research Centres for the Urban Underground Space, also known as the 20th Annual Conference of the Associated Research Centres for the Urban Underground Space (ACUUS 2027), will be grandly held in Nanjing, China, in November 2027!
Currently, the Jiangsu Underground Space Society, as a member institution of ACUUS, is actively collaborating with the PCO, Guangdong Shuangwei Culture Technology Group Co., Ltd., to prepare for this international event.
As the most influential international organization in the global underground space sector, ACUUS has always been committed to advancing the research, planning, and sustainable development of urban underground spaces. In 2019, ACUUS and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) jointly signed a strategic cooperation memorandum in Shanghai to jointly promote the contribution of underground spaces to urban sustainability. This background further enhances the global significance of ACUUS 2027.
ACUUS 2027 will bring together top global experts, scholars, and practitioners in the field of underground space to engage in in-depth discussions on key issues such as innovative technologies for underground space development, sustainable development strategies, and the construction of smart cities.
This conference not only serves as recognition of China’s achievements in the underground space sector but also represents a significant opportunity to advance the scientific development of underground spaces worldwide.
With the acceleration of global urbanization, the rational development and utilization of underground space have become crucial indicators for measuring a city’s sustainable development capacity. Hosting ACUUS 2027 in Nanjing will inject new vitality into the development of underground space, both in China and globally, and usher in a new chapter for sustainable urban development.
Let us collectively look forward to this international event in the field of underground space, to be held in Nanjing in 2027, where the brilliance of Chinese ingenuity and global expertise will converge in a remarkable exchange!
