Utility tunnels have been elements of urban supply systems for almost two centuries now. However, their use and implementation is still less determined by urban planning and urban needs - and more by the qualities, preconceptions and determination of the urban managers in question. During the 1990s in the course of the German reunification process the fluidity of the urban management situation created opportunities for new approaches to this old technology. In conjunction with landmark urban development projects on the path to urben sustainability, utility tunnels were used as one of the many instruments and approaches to achieve sustainable developments. Now - almost 20 years later we can look at these developments and the utility tunnels and have a first discussion on their sustainability success. At present a new relevance developes in regard of this technology. The current urban development schemes in China, India and many other places of the world are of such scale, that questions of doing it right while doing it timely are of prime significance. At the same time, we are facing a situation, in which - within the coming 40 years - the whole energy supply and distribution system of the world - including China and India - will need to be 100% restructured and reworked. We need a whole new quality of system flexibility and reaction capacity in urban engineering to achieve the path to urban sustainability. Taking proven experience in sustainable urban development and engineering, what are and will be the taskings and quality expectations to urban design and development in the coming years and decades? System changes will require mental, philosophical and educational changes in human minds - also those of the developers, planners, architects, and engineers. So what do we need to learn, and how do we teach it fast and to many of us in a short time?
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