This study addresses the increasing development of deep underground spaces in urban areas and the lack of comprehensive management systems for their construction and operation. While deep underground development is growing as a strategy to alleviate traffic congestion and improve urban landscapes, especially in cities like Seoul where shallow underground infrastructure is already densely packed, there is a notable absence of institutional frameworks to support these projects.
The research highlights that deep underground construction projects, typically occurring at depths of 40 meters or more, face numerous potential risks and frequent public complaints. These include ground subsidence, structural safety concerns, disaster vulnerability, groundwater issues, and noise and vibration problems. Despite various safety assessments, unforeseen incidents still occur, emphasizing the impossibility of completely predicting all risk factors.
Through case studies of deep underground development, the study identifies key considerations for design, construction, and maintenance phases. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive monitoring systems, flexible response mechanisms for geological uncertainties, strengthened environmental management standards, and improved disaster response capabilities.
The study reveals that current domestic policies for underground space development are fragmented and fail to consider the unique characteristics of deep underground spaces. It suggests benchmarking international policies to establish an integrated legal framework and comprehensive master plan for systematic management and long-term safety of these spaces.
To address the immediate need for guidelines, the research proposes detailed safety and environmental considerations for each project phase. These include setting safety zones, conducting 3D numerical analysis, implementing real-time monitoring systems, establishing disaster prevention standards, and managing groundwater levels and noise/vibration issues.
The study emphasizes the importance of long-term monitoring systems for sustainable management of underground spaces, given their inherent uncertainties and limited accessibility. It recommends developing comprehensive monitoring plans from the design phase through to long-term maintenance, enabling early risk detection and preventive management.
In conclusion, this research underscores the urgent need for comprehensive institutional and technical guidelines for deep underground space development in Seoul and other urban areas, proposing practical measures to ensure safety, environmental protection, and sustainable management of these increasingly important urban resources.