Under the guidance of the Chinese Society for Urban Studies, the 3rd Underground Space Science Popularization Creative Competition (“Zhuofang Cup”), jointly organized by the Underground Space Professional Committee of the Chinese Society for Urban Studies, the Chongqing Society of Mining, the Jiangsu Society for Underground Space, the Green Exploration Professional Committee of the China Green Mining Union, and the China-Singapore Underground Space and Urban Sustainable Innovation Industry Alliance, was successfully held. With the theme “Developing Underground Space, Building Resilient Homes,” the competition aimed to promote the advancement of underground space science popularization. Since its launch in March 2025, the competition attracted entries from university students, employees of research institutes, enterprises, and institutions, as well as young participants from 13 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government. A total of 128 submissions passed the qualification review. After rigorous evaluation in preliminary and final rounds, the competition awarded 2 first prizes, 4 second prizes, 14 third prizes, 37 outstanding work awards (including 4 Creative Pioneer Awards), 25 outstanding organization awards, 11 outstanding instructor awards, and 21 online popularity awards. In the coming period, we will showcase the award-winning outstanding science popularization works. Stay tuned!
Professional Group
Third Prize
Work Introduction
This work uses four city-themed posters to showcase the multidimensional value of underground space through a visually contrasting “flip” perspective, revealing the symbiotic relationship between “above-ground prosperity and below-ground intelligence” in modern cities. It highlights the distinct identities of underground spaces in different urban contexts, as well as their strategic value and humanistic significance in urban development.
Work Display
Above ground, the mountain city trails and the Yangtze River cableway outline the three-dimensional urban silhouette; below ground, the 816 Underground Nuclear Project—the world’s largest artificial cavern complex—is meticulously recreated. Once a top-secret nuclear military base, this nine-level cavern houses critical facilities such as the reactor hall and central control room. Designed to withstand hydrogen bomb impacts and magnitude 8 earthquakes, it is hailed as the “Underground Nuclear Great Wall.”
The stark color contrast highlights its transformation from a “wartime memory” to a “new cultural and tourism landmark,” paying tribute to the spirit of the Third Front construction era.
地上东方明珠、外滩建筑群勾勒国际都市天际线；地下三层空间层层递进，轨道交通网络串联城市脉络，黄浦江炫彩隧道以透明观光车呈现光影艺术，海底观光隧道让游客沉浸式体验海洋生态。
通过动态线条与科技蓝调，展现现代超大城市地下艺术空间的多维可能性。
Above ground, the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Bund’s architectural ensemble outline the skyline of an international metropolis. Below ground, a three-tiered space unfolds progressively: the rail transit network interconnects the city’s urban fabric, the Huangpu River’s vibrant tunnel showcases light and shadow art through transparent sightseeing vehicles, and the undersea observation tunnel offers visitors an immersive experience of the marine ecosystem.
Through dynamic lines and a technological blue hue, the work presents the multidimensional possibilities of modern megacities’ underground artistic spaces.
Above ground, West Lake and Leifeng Pagoda depict the natural poetry of the “earthly paradise.” Below ground, the focus is on the Qianjiang New Town underground complex, showcased through a four-level vertical section: the first underground level features a sunken plaza connecting to ground-level landscapes, while levels B2 to B4 integrate commercial spaces, parking facilities, and municipal infrastructure.
This creates a seamless integration between the ecological surface and the “underground city.”
Expert Review
Guo Dongjun丨Vice Chairman of the Jiangsu Society for Underground Space
This work centers on the concept of “Flipping the City.” Through stark visual contrasts between above-ground and below-ground spaces in four sets of posters featuring Chongqing, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou, it innovatively showcases the symbiotic relationship between urban prosperity above ground and wisdom below ground, combining hand-drawn and digital art. Techniques such as sectional perspective enhance the sense of depth, preserving the recognizability of landmarks while revealing the innovative utilization value of underground spaces. With its strong visual impact and humanistic depth, the work conveys the planning philosophy of “seeking space underground and efficiency through technology,” highlighting cities’ innovative practices in underground space utilization. It excels both in artistic expression and social science popularization significance.
Zhu Ganping丨Deputy Director of the Underground Space Professional Committee of the Chinese Society for Urban Studies, Chief Engineer of Tianjin Rail Transit Group
The author selected landmark buildings and typical underground spaces centered around rail transit stations in four cities—Chongqing, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou—and presented them through intuitive layering of above-ground and below-ground elements, offering a refreshing perspective. However, the depiction of underground spaces tends to be relatively uniform in its scenarios.
Author Introduction
Zhao Wenyi
Urban Planning and Design Research Institute, Jiangsu Provincial Planning and Design Group
Zhao Wenyi, Urban and Rural Planner, Land and Space Planning and Design Institute V, Urban Planning and Design Research Institute, Jiangsu Provincial Planning and Design Group. Mainly engaged in research and practical work in areas such as land and space planning, resilient city special planning, and urban physical examination.
Feng Jian
Urban Planning and Design Research Institute, Jiangsu Provincial Planning and Design Group
Feng Jian, Urban and Rural Planner, Land and Space Planning and Design Institute V, Urban Planning and Design Research Institute, Jiangsu Provincial Planning and Design Group. Primarily engaged in practical and research work in areas such as comprehensive land and space planning, detailed planning, and underground space planning.
Cao Huajuan
Urban Planning and Design Research Institute, Jiangsu Provincial Planning and Design Group
Cao Huajuan, Deputy Chief Planner, Senior Urban and Rural Planner, and Nationally Registered Urban and Rural Planner at the Urban Planning and Design Research Institute of Jiangsu Provincial Planning and Design Group. Concurrently serves as Executive Director of the Jiangsu Society for Underground Space and Chairman of its Planning and Policy Professional Committee, as well as a member of the Detailed Planning Professional Committee of the Jiangsu Urban Planning Research Association. With extensive long-term experience in research on underground space planning, comprehensive land and space planning, and detailed planning, she has received over 20 national and provincial awards and published more than 10 academic papers.
Editor: Shen Qing
Reviewers: Gao Fan, Huang Jun
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