The Cubic Mile project : recommendations and guidance for implementation

Freeborough, K.; Richardson, T.; Laban, J.; Munday, T.. 2023 The Cubic Mile project : recommendations and guidance for implementation. British Geological Survey, 8pp. (OR/23/005) (Unpublished)

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Abstract/Summary

Subsurface space is regarded as both a key potential future resource that could be utilised to support the resilience of society to climate change, and at the same time a blocker to surface climate resilience measures where areas are perceived as ‘congested’. Understanding the current state of play, as well as available data and legislation, formed a key aspect of the UK Climate Resilience placement for both the City of London Corporation (CoLC) and the British Geological Survey (BGS). Discoveries from the Cubic Mile project have enabled a better understanding of the issues surrounding subsurface information and its relation to climate adaptation/resilience planning. Whilst underground space is regulated to a degree through spatial planning policy (e.g., conversion and subterranean expansion of residential property) and environmental licensing (e.g., water abstraction, mineral extraction, discharge and mining) there are no leading subsurface governing polices at the local level that support climate adaptation. Accessing data about the subsurface is often resource heavy, both in terms of cost and time, and limited by licensing and spatial data coverage. The complex history of the City of London has resulted in a very congested subsurface with a history of around two millennia of development. A key part of the embedded researcher placement involved a review of existing data, identification of gaps and discussions with the City and other stakeholders identifying where improvements or changes could be made for future implementation of subsurface data in climate resilience planning. Whilst some suggestions could be realised as a quick win with regards to storage and sharing of internal information, other recommendations would be much more involved and relate to policy or a wider cultural change. These would require a strategic change implemented at higher level and a lead agency to take forward.

Item Type:	Publication - Report
Funders/Sponsors:	British Geological Survey, City of London
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	This item has been internally reviewed but not externally peer-reviewed.
Date made live:	02 Feb 2023 15:08 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/533956

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