Call for Abstracts

The 20th ACUUS World Conference Nanjing 2027 is organized by the Associated Research Centers for the Urban Underground Space (ACUUS) and the Jiangsu Underground Space Society (JSUSS).

Under the theme Underground Space: Beneath Today, Beyond Tomorrow!, the conference will bring together researchers, experts, representatives of public institutions, industry, and decision-makers engaged in the planning, development, design, construction, governance, use, and maintenance of urban underground space.

The conference will serve as an international platform for presenting the latest scientific research, policy perspectives, engineering practices, and innovative approaches to the sustainable development of urban underground space. Particular emphasis will be placed on integrated above–below ground urban development, intelligent technologies, digital innovation, climate resilience, safety, liveability, and underground solutions that support the development of resilient, sustainable, and people-centered cities.

Abstract submission is now open.

Experts, scholars, practitioners, and professionals from relevant fields are invited to submit abstracts no later than 30 October 2026 .

When submitting an abstract, authors should select one thematic track of the conference and indicate the proposed type of submission, i.e. the preferred presentation format.

The abstract must be strictly based on original research findings that have not been previously published or presented in any form.

Sustainable Integrated Above–Below Ground Urban Development
Strategic and Resilient Underground Planning and Governance
Engineering, Geological and Geotechnical Innovations in Underground Design, Construction, Maintenance and Renewal
Underground Safety Assurance, Risk Governance, Operational Resilience and Emergency Response
Smart Underground Space Integrating Digital Twins, AI, BIM/GIS, Monitoring Systems and 3D Cadastre
Underground Infrastructure to Improve Mobility, Logistics, and Public Service Delivery
Architecture, Liveability and Human Experience Underground
Sustainability, Environmental Performance, Energy and Resources for Green and Circular Subsurface Development
Economics, Delivery Models and Lifecycle Asset Management
Special Applications and Case Studies in Underground Space

Scientific or professional paper for oral presentation– papers based on scientific research, methodological contribution, case study, planning approach, engineering analysis, governance model, or practical experience relevant to urban underground space;
Technical Track– professional and technical contributions focused on application, design, construction, technologies, engineering solutions, operational experience, monitoring, risk management, maintenance, execution of works, or practical innovations in the field of underground space;
Poster presentation– short research, professional, design, student, or practical contributions suitable for visual presentation, discussion, and exchange of experience within poster sessions.

Authors may indicate their preferred presentation format when submitting an abstract. The final decision on abstract acceptance, submission category, and presentation format will be made by the Scientific Committee and the Conference Organizer, based on the review results, relevance of the topic, quality of the abstract, and availability within the conference programme.

Due to the possible large number of submitted abstracts, the Conference Organizer reserves the right to recommend certain accepted papers for poster presentation, even in cases where authors initially indicated oral presentation as their preferred format.

Each abstract should be written in English and should be between 150 and 300 words in length.

Authors are invited to structure their abstracts clearly and concisely. The abstract should include the following elements:

Context and problem statement– the context, challenge, or research problem addressed by the paper;
Objective– the main objective or research question of the proposed paper;
Methodology or approach– the methods, analytical framework, case study, design approach, engineering procedure, policy analysis, or practical experience on which the paper is based;
Main findings or expected results– the key results, arguments, innovations, or experiences that will be presented;
Contribution and relevance– the significance of the paper for the planning, development, construction, governance, use, or future transformation of urban underground space.
Originality– The abstract must be strictly based on original research findings that have not been previously published or presented in any form.

Authors should also provide 3–5 keywords and select one thematic track that best corresponds to the submitted abstract.

Author information will be entered separately into the online submission system. The system will separate author information from the abstract text for the purpose of anonymous peer review. Abstracts will be reviewed anonymously by the Scientific Committee of ACUUS 2027.

*Scientific Committee page is coming soon.

Note: After submitting the abstract for Technical Track papers, authors are required to submit an extended abstract in accordance with the abstract review requirements.

All submitted abstracts will be subject to anonymous peer review by members of the Scientific Committee of ACUUS 2027.

Abstracts will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

relevance to the conference theme and selected thematic track;
originality and clarity of the proposed contribution;
scientific, technical, professional, or policy significance;
clarity of objectives, methodology, and expected results;
contribution to the advancement of planning, development, construction, governance, or practice in the field of underground space.

Authors will be notified of the abstract review results by 30 November 2026.

Authors whose abstracts are accepted will be notified of the proposed presentation format. Papers that, due to the limited number of places in the programme or the assessment of the Scientific Committee and the Conference Organizer, are not selected for oral presentation may be proposed for poster presentation. Authors of accepted abstracts who do not submit a full paper within the prescribed deadline may, in accordance with the conference rules and the decision of the Organizer, be included in the programme through poster presentation. Authors of papers accepted for oral presentation will be invited to submit full papers no later than 31 May 2027, while authors of papers proposed for poster presentation will receive separate instructions regarding poster preparation and the possible submission of accompanying text.

English is the official language of ACUUS 2027. All abstracts and full papers must be written and submitted in English.

All accepted papers will be included in the conference proceedings, provided that the authors register for the conference. Authors of outstanding papers will receive a special invitation to prepare an improved version of their paper for consideration in Special Issues of leading scientific journals, including Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology (TUST) and Underground Space. Submission of papers to these Special Issues will be possible only upon official invitation, in accordance with the peer-review and publication rules of those journals.

As a strong indication of the scientific visibility of ACUUS conferences, following ACUUS 2025, 20 to 30 of the best accepted papers were selected, revised and enhanced, and published in the dedicated Special Issue of Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology (TUST) following an additional peer-review process.

Call for Abstracts

Thematic Tracks of ACUUS 2027

Types of Presentation Formats

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Review Process

Important Dates

30 October 2026

30 November 2026

31 May 2027

15 July 2027

15 August 2027

31 August 2027

15 September 2027

6–11 November 2027

Abstract Submission

Contact Information

Product title

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Organizer

The 20th World Conference of the Associated Research Centres for the Urban Underground Space
—— ACUUS 2027 ——

Professional Congress Organizer (PCO)

Contact Us

© 2025 版权所有归广东双威文化科技集团有限公司

Call for Abstracts

Thematic Tracks of ACUUS 2027

Types of Presentation Formats

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Review Process

Important Dates

30 October 2026

30 November 2026

31 May 2027

15 July 2027

15 August 2027

31 August 2027

15 September 2027

6–11 November 2027

Abstract Submission

Contact Information

Product title

sign in

Organizer

The 20th World Conference of the Associated Research Centres for the Urban Underground Space —— ACUUS 2027 ——

Professional Congress Organizer (PCO)

Contact Us

© 2025 版权所有归 广东双威文化科技集团有限公司

The 20th World Conference of the Associated Research Centres for the Urban Underground Space
—— ACUUS 2027 ——

© 2025 版权所有归广东双威文化科技集团有限公司