Rapid urbanization, natural hazards, climate change, sustain­able energy geo-resources, people’s mobility and transportation of goods are first-priority demanding challenges that the globe is facing.

Cities and infrastructure expansion towards underground provide safe, sustainable and green solution facilitating the transformation of millions of people’s lives into a more resilient lifestyle. A comprehensive understanding, rethinking and reshaping of the underground spaces have become even more vital and crucial in the urban transformation of future cities. For the latter to be attained, planning and organization of underground development, a holistic approach is required not only in terms of spatial organization or overcoming engineering challenges, but also in regards to the establishments of policies, regulations and consideration of social factors.

WTC 2023 in Athens will highlight the multiple advantages and solutions that underground space could provide, at the prospect of a whole new era of smart technology where sophisticated “digital tools” change investigation, design, construction and operation methods and strategies rapidly. WTC 2023 will addi­tionally provide an ideal opportunity to showcase recent inno­vations and the perspective of technology to further efficiently upgrade underground infrastructure assets, transforming the industry and the societies it serves.

Athens (Greece) has the knowledge, and we strongly believe we have the means and the responsibility to literally make a positive impact on the world.