ANALYZING CONTRACTUAL PRACTICES IN MAJOR UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

19th WORLD CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATED RESEARCH CENTRES FOR THE URBAN UNDERGROUND SPACE, Belgrade, Serbia, November 4-7, 2025. (Paper No: 6.4.157,  pp. 890-900)

 

АУТОР(И) / AUTHOR(S): Doris Skenderas, Chrysothemis Paraskevopoulou, Andreas Benardos

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DOI:  10.46793/ACUUS2025.6.4.157

САЖЕТАК / ABSTRACT:

The underground space presents significant opportunities for infrastructure development. The infrastructure industry (architecture, engineering, construction, and operation) has historically struggled with poor project performance caused by complexity, fragmentation, and low digitalization. Underground projects face additional challenges due to the uncertainty of unknown subsurface conditions. The continued increase in materials and energy costs, inflation, and the COVID-19 pandemic are just a few of the unforeseen factors exacerbating this situation. Based on case studies, this analysis examines current contracting practices in major underground infrastructure projects, investigating their characteristics and their impact on conflicts, disputes, and claims. These factors in major projects often result in the use of multi-party contracts and complex contractual arrangements. Traditional contracting practices have primarily focused on risk allocation, commonly leading to disputes and inefficiencies that result in further delays and financial burdens in the project. Recent advances in contract management encourage integrated and collaborative approaches, while the adaptation of digital tools generates blockchain-based smart legal contracts to enhance automation, transparency, and sustainability. This shift in contractual practices influences performance optimization as well as dispute mitigation. Finally, key lessons are derived from their implementation.

КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ / KEYWORDS:

underground mall, shop, number of stores, city comparison

ПРОЈЕКАТ / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

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