New Threat to Urban Infrastructure: Underground Climate Change

Subsurface heat islands in dense urban areas can cause buildings and infrastructure to shift, tilt, and crack, a new study finds.

1 minute read

February 22, 2024, 8:00 AM PST

By Mary Hammon @marykhammon


Aerial view of the Chicago Loop in summer from the south, with buildings on the left, Grant Park in the center, and Lake Michigan on the right.

606 Vision / Adobe Stock

A novel study by Northwestern University in Chicago says there is a “silent hazard beneath the streets” that could have a major impact on buildings and infrastructure in the future: “underground climate change.” A Financial Times article by Patti Waldmeir details the findings and what it could mean for Chicago and other cities around the world.

The Northwestern research team, headed up by researcher Alessandro Rotta Loria, were the first to study how these subsurface heat islands that deform the ground affect urban infrastructure, Waldmeir reports. They placed underground sensors throughout the Chicago Loop and found the ground beneath some buildings can be 18F hotter than underneath a large park along the lake nearby. The effect is caused by heat emitted into the ground by underground structures (garages, basements, El tunnels, etc.) which causes the ground to expand and contract.

While these subsurface heat items aren’t likely to cause buildings to collapse or kill anyone, in the long-term, Rotta Loria said, it could mean shifting, tilting, and cracking buildings and infrastructure, which lead to significantly higher repair and maintenance costs, particularly in cities built near water.

Monday, February 19, 2024 in Financial Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Aerial view of schoolyard in Oakland, California with newly planted trees, sports courts, and playground equipment.

Greening Oakland’s School Grounds

With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.

April 2 - FacilitiesNet

Power lines at golden hour with downtown Los Angeles in far background.

California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas

Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.

April 2 - Los Angeles Times

Green roadside sign with white text reading "Entering Nez Perce Indian Reservation" against grassy field and blue sky.

Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship

In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.

April 2 - The Conversation