Beijing targets 400 million square meters of underground space by 2035

Beijing's total underground built-up space is projected to reach 400 million square meters by 2035, according to a new development plan released Wednesday by the Beijing Commission of Planning and Natural Resources.

The plan sets a planned 5-to-1 ratio for the city's above-ground versus underground construction space. Statistics show that by 2024, Beijing's existing underground space totaled 250 million sq m, translating to an average of 11.6 sq m per capita.

Under the new plan, Beijing will develop into a more vertically oriented, multidimensional, convenient, efficient, and sustainable city. It will establish an interconnected underground network structured around "seven corridors, two loops, one network, four layers, 20 zones, and multiple nodes".

The "seven corridors" will integrate underground resources across Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei.

The "two loops" initiative will deliver a closed‑loop underground energy supply system via high‑pressure gas transmission and distribution pipelines, as well as a closed-loop underground water conveyance system by drawing on the water diversion project from the South to the North and existing water conveyance routes.

The "one network" refers to underground transit infrastructure serving as a core urban backbone.

The "four layers" are designed for dedicated water-source protection purposes, while "20 zones" will cover 20 commercial districts.

"Multiple nodes" denotes major transportation hubs in the city, including eight railway stations, two international airports, and more transport hubs.