Underground Living: A Niš Life

This project explores the future destinies of thousands of cities & towns across the world as they strive to tackle the severe environmental obstacles of the evolving 21st and 22nd centuries. As a component of this, today we focus on the future of the Serbian city of Niš.

The future of Niš, Serbia, in the early 22nd century could see it becoming a great subterranean green city, inspired by its history of underground development. Niš, known for its subterranean shopping arcades nowadays, could evolve into a fully eco-friendly underground metropolis to address the challenges of overpopulation, urban sprawl, and climate change.

The future of Niš, Serbia -- the Urban Futures team

The concept of Niš as a subterranean green city builds on its existing underground infrastructure, which has been a symbol of innovation in retail and public spaces. By the early 22nd century, entire neighborhoods could be relocated underground, incorporating homes, commercial centers, and public amenities all in a climate-controlled, energy-efficient environment. Instead of relying on fossil fuels or energy-hungry cooling systems, the city will adopt renewable sources such as geothermal energy, furthering sustainability goals.

Natural light will be channeled through fiber-optic systems from above-ground parks and forests, creating a harmonious balance between the green surface and the subterranean life. The underground city will be covered with plants, mosses, and biophilic design elements, blending nature into urban spaces and promoting biodiversity. The streets would be lined with lush gardens, small trees, and aquaponic farms that support local food production and reduce dependency on external supply chains.

This transformation will help residents of Niš escape the increasingly harsh temperatures and weather patterns caused by climate change while creating a future where eco-conscious urbanism thrives. Through green energy and biophilic architecture, Niš could lead the way in rethinking how humanity can coexist with nature beneath the surface, with deep roots in both its historical foundation and its future vision as a subterranean super green city.