The rise of the underground: occupation strategies of the urban underground space.

The urban underground constitutes a complex space in which sophisticated infrastructures coexist with public spaces and transport systems. Traditionally, its presence has been ignored under the functionalist and hygienic border that separates the surface from the subterranean. This division has been maintained since the creation of this stratum in the 19th century. However, the contemporary city claims its participation in urban dynamics. The increase in urban density, environmental awareness or transport needs are just some of the challenges facing the underground as a space with enormous potential on which to intervene.

The aim of this research is to understand, from the architectural discipline, the processes and the logics under which the contemporary urban underground is occupied, giving a broad view of the main events that have been shaping this stratum during the last two centuries, from an infrastructural, urban and programmatic point of view.