Resource and Environmental Carrying Capability Assessment of Underground Space in Yuzhong Peninsula in Chongqing

Abstract

The rational development of urban underground space resources has attracted much attention as an important measure to deal with the urban population, resource, and environmental crises. Resource and environmental carrying capability (RECC) is a key parameter to measure the sustainable development of underground spaces, which is very important for the sustainable development of regional economy and environment. Considering the scarcity, irreversibility, and geological constraints of urban underground spaces, the assessment analysis model and assessment index system were determined according to the actual conditions of Yuzhong Peninsula in Chongqing. The assessment index system comprises the socioeconomic development, resource-carrying capacity, and environmental vulnerability. The resource-carrying capability has a positive effect on the assessment result, while socioeconomic development and environmental vulnerability have a limiting effect. According to urban planning policies and utilization experience, the underground space was divided into three assessment layers, namely, a shallow layer (0– 10 m underground), subshallow layer (10–30 m underground), and deep layer (30–100 m underground). The remaining exploitable capacity of the underground space and RECC of the shallow, subshallow, and deep layers in Yuzhong Peninsula were calculated using a self-developed assessment system.