Beyond the Surface: Why Cities Invest Billions in Subways to Solve Congestion, Climate, and Land Use Crises

The metro system also unlocks a dimension of Urban Underground Space (UUS) utilization. Stations are often built as complex, multi-level environments that integrate retail, services, and intermodal connection points, allowing cities to accommodate crucial services without taking up scarce ground-level space. This underground development is key to maintaining high density without sacrificing public amenities.