Abstract: Development and utilization of urban underground space and exploration of new resources for urbanization are two important ways for solving city problems, improving urban ecological environment, optimizing urban spatial structure and strengthening urban resilience. In this paper, we analyzed the current development and utilization of urban underground space in China and identified problems that need urgent solutions. The problematic areas include aggressive development lacking overall supply, fragmented utilization without cooperative planning, passive response without strong technological support, and disorderly management compounded by inadequate laws and regulations. The current predicament can be remediated through comprehensive legislation, careful planning, preparatory investigation, intelligent management and scientific research support. We propose five specific countermeasures, i.e. investigate and evaluate urban underground space comprehensively; establish a cooperative planning system for underground space as soon as possible; accelerate the construction of an intelligent underground space management system; design a technological development strategy for underground space with high priority; and improve laws and regulations for urban underground space as early as possible. These countermeasures will promote rapid development in Chinas underground space industry, science and technology and underground space system, setting up a global model for sustainable development and utilization of urban underground space resources.

Key words: underground, development, utilization, urban