Preservation and Protection of the Wildlife

The ground also provides a variety of advantages in terms of protection of the environment. These are notably important aspects in designing facilities with a low environmental impact.

 

AESTHETICS

A fully or partially underground structure has less visual impact than an equivalent surface structure.

This may be important to hide unattractive technical facilities in sensitive locations or when industrial facilities must be sited adjacent to residential areas. This is also important for the preservation of natural landscapes.

The increasing requirement for all utility services to be placed underground stems essentially from visual impact considerations and concerns about protection against the elements.

 

ECOLOGY

In some cases, underground structures help preserve natural vegetation. Less damage is thus inflicted on the local and global ecological cycle.

Plant life, animal habitat and passages, and plant transpiration and respiration are maintained to a greater extent than with surface construction.