RESEARCH ON THE DISTRIBUTION, DEVELOPMENT QUALITY AND DRIVING FORCES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT QUALITY OF URBAN UNDERGROUND SPACE IN CHINA

19th WORLD CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATED RESEARCH CENTRES FOR THE URBAN UNDERGROUND SPACE, Belgrade, Serbia, November 4-7, 2025. (Paper No: 1.4.181,  pp. 48-62)

 

АУТОР(И) / AUTHOR(S): Jingwei Zhao, Yu Sun, Haoqi Li, Yinge Zhu

 

Download Full Pdf   

DOI:  10.46793/ACUUS2025.1.4.181

САЖЕТАК / ABSTRACT:

As a critical spatial resource for expanding urban land use dimensions, the overall scale of urban underground space has been steadily increasing. Its development quality is influenced by various factors. Based on multi-source data, this study evaluates the development quality of urban underground space in 22 representative Chinese cities using the entropy method across four dimensions: Rari Transit (RT), Underground Space Construction (USC), Underground Space Resilience (USR), and Society Development (SD). Additionally, the PLS-SEM model is employed to analyze the driving forces and their action paths. The findings indicate that: 1) Shenzhen demonstrates the highest development quality in underground space, with underground space resilience (USR) being the most significant dimension affecting its development quality. Economic resilience emerges as the most crucial single indicator; 2) According to the PLS-SEM model, USR exhibits the strongest direct effect and serves as a key mediator. The path “ society development(SD) → underground space resilience(USR) → urban underground space development quality(UUSDQ)“ shows the most pronounced indirect effect; 3) Based on these results, two strategies are proposed: guiding spatial supply-side reform through social development and enhancing government decision-making efficiency by improving the management mechanism for underground space development. Specific development strategies are also suggested for cities with medium and low-quality underground spaces.

КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ / KEYWORDS:

Urban underground space, Development quality assessment, Entropy weight method, Driving factors, PLS-SEM modeling

ПРОЈЕКАТ / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

This research was funded by the Qingdao Philosophy and Social Sciences Planning Project (QDSKL2401105), and the Qingdao Double Hundred Research Project (2024-B-136).

ЛИТЕРАТУРА / REFERENCES:

  • Cepeda-Carrion, G., Cegarra-Navarro, J.-G., & Cillo, V. (2019). Tips to use partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) in knowledge management. Journal of Knowledge Management, 23(1), 67–89. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-05-2018-0322.
  • Chen, Y., Zhao, Z., Guo, D., Zou, D., & Chen, Z. (2021). Research on the Correlation between Urban Underground Space and Population Distribution. Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering, 17(3), 637–648(in Chinese).
  • Chen, Z.-L., Chen, J.-Y., Liu, H., & Zhang, Z.-F. (2018). Present status and development trends of underground space in chinese cities: Evaluation and analysis. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 71, 253–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2017.08.027.
  • Fan, C., & Myint, S. (2014). A comparison of spatial autocorrelation indices and landscape metrics in measuring urban landscape fragmentation. Landscape and Urban Planning, 121, 117–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.10.002.
  • Guo, J., Liu, K., & Ma, Y. (2024). A methodology for comprehensive quality evaluation of underground space. Acta Geologica Sinica – English Edition, 98(6), 1637–1648. https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-6724.15147.
  • Huang, J., Lu, H., Jin, H., & Zhang, L. (2023). Urban resilience in China’s eight urban agglomerations: Evolution trends and driving factors. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 32(6), 3072–3098. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-30971-1.
  • Li, C., & Wang, Y. (2025). Evaluation of the underground space safety resilience of chinese urban agglomerations based on the “stress-state-response”:a case study of underground rail transit in 26 cities. Journal of Safety Science and Resilience, S266644962500026X. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnlssr.2025.02.001.
  • Luo, B., Peng, F., Liu, S., & Dong, Y. (2023). Evaluation indicators and models of urban underground space resilience. Journal of Railway Science and Engineering, 20(9), 3570–3578. https://doi.org/10.19713/j.cnki.43-1423/u.t20221866 (in Chinese).
  • Meng, B., Wang, J., Zhang, W., & Liu, X. (2005). Evaluation of Regional Disparity in China Based on Spatial Analysis. SCIENTIA GEOGRAPHICA SINICA, 25(4). https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbcode=CJFQ&dbname=CJFD2005&filename=DLKX200504001(in Chinese).
  • Qian Qihu, Chen Xiangsheng, Chen Zhilong, et al. 2024 Blue Book on the Development of Urban Underground Space in China [R]. Beijing: Strategic Consultation Center, Chinese Academy of Engineering; Underground Space Branch, Chinese Society for Rock Mechanics and Engineering; Urban Planning Society of China, 2024. (in Chinese).
  • Qiao, Y., & Peng, F. (2023). Advances and Development Thoughts on Three-Dimensional Urban Underground Cadastre. Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering, 19(2), 359–367, 409(in Chinese).
  • Sun, L., Li, X., Zhou, D., Wang, W., & Liu, C. (2018). Study on the Correlation between Underground Space Development and Socio-economic Factors. Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering, 14(4), 859–868, 880(in Chinese).
  • Tang, Y., & Tang, Y. (2024). Analysis of the spatial characteristics and driving forces of underground consumer service space in chinese megacities based on multi-source data. Sustainable Cities and Society, 116, 105924. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2024.105924.
  • The State Council of the People’s Republic of China. Guidance on Exploring and Promoting the Development and Utilization of Urban Underground Space (No. 146 of 2024 issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources) [EB/OL]. (2024-07-31) [2025-06-01]. Https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202409/content_6974170.htm(in Chinese).
  • The State Council of the People’s Republic of China. Notice on Carrying out the 2025 Central Government Financial Support for Urban Renewal Actions (Cai Ban Jian [2025] No. 11) [EB/OL]. (2025-04-03) [2025-06-01]. Https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202504/content_7017720.htm(in Chinese).
  • The website of the Chinese government. Opinions on Promoting the Innovative Development of Future Industries by Seven Departments Including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT Joint Science and Technology [2024] No. 12) [EB/OL]. (2024-01-18) [2025-01-25]. Https://www.gov.cnzhengcezhengceku202401content_6929021.htm(in Chinese).
  • Wang, C., Ma, L., Zhang, Y., Chen, N., & Wang, W. (2022). Spatiotemporal dynamics of wetlands and their driving factors based on PLS-SEM: a case study in wuhan. Science of the Total Environment, 806, 151310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151310.
  • Wang, C., Zhou, C., Peng, J., Fan, J., Zhu, H., Li, X., Cheng, G., Dai, C., & Xu, N. (2019). A discussion on high-quality development and sustainable utilization of China’s urban underground space in the new era. Earth Science Frontiers, 26(3), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.13745/j.esf.sf.2018.9.2 (in Chinese).
  • Wang, H., Guo, D., Wei, L., Su, J., Zhao, H., & Zhao, X. (2025). Synergistic priority utilization of multiple underground resources: Concept, methods, and application. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 162, 106642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2025.106642.
  • Wen, Z., Zhang, L., Hou, T., & Liu, H. (2004). TESTING AND APPLICATION OF THE MEDIATING EFFECTS. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 36(5), 614–620(in Chinese).
  • Xiong, Y., Li, X., Yuan, F., Lu, Z., Wu, S., & Dou, F. (2025). 3D evaluation of geological environment quality in underground space based on clustering ensemble. JOURNAL OF HEFEI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (NATURAL SCIENCE), 48(1), 78–84, 91(in Chinese).
  • Yan, J., Zhao, Y., Wang, Z., Wang, Liu, K., Ren, T., & Xu, B. (2021). Comprehensive quality evaluation of underground space resources in Yinchuan City. GEOLOGICAL BULLETIN OF CHINA, 40(10), 1636–1643(in Chinese).
  • Yang, Y., & Li, Q. (2021). Distribution Pattern and Its Formation Mechanism of Public Recreational Space Based on Pol Data: A Case Study of the Main Urban Area of changsha City. Modern Urban Research, 3, 91–97. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1009-6000.2021.03.013 (in Chinese).
  • Yang, Z., He, X., Sui, X., & Zhang, J. (2019). Analysis of the Evolution of Urban Center Space Based on POI: A Case Study of Main Area in Kunming. URBAN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, 26(2), 31–35(in Chinese).
  • Yi, R. (2025). Scientific development and utilization of underground space resources to stimulate high-quality urban economic development. Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 40(4), 725–729. https://doi.org/10.16418/j.issn.1000-3045.20250108001 (in Chinese).
  • Yu, H., Chen, Z., Hu, W., Zhang, J., Xu, C., & Hu, B. (2025). Urban underground space value assessment and regeneration strategies in symbiosis with the urban block: A case study of large residential areas in beijing. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 163, 106728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2025.106728.
  • Zeng, C., & Chen, W. (2018). A Forecasting Model of Urban Underground Space Development Intensity. Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering, 14(5), 1154–1160(in Chinese).
  • Zhang, P., Zhao, Q., Zhao, L., Liu, J., & Bai, Z. (2023). Evaluation of Geological Environment Quality of Underground Space in Different Layers in Western Zhengzhou. Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering, 19(S2), 510–518(in Chinese).
  • Zhao, J., Wang, H., Sun, Y., Li, H., & Zhu, Y. (2025). Investigation into the distribution features and determinants of underground commercial spaces in qingdao city. Buildings, 15(10), 1743. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101743.