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Underground Workspaces: A Human Factors Approach

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Book cover Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018) (IEA 2018)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 825))

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Abstract

With increasing population density in urban areas, underground space use in these urban centres is also on the rise. This can be in the form of more traditional underground (UG) facilities, such as water treatment plants and subway stations, but also more diversified uses such as underground offices and data centres. As these relatively novel underground workspaces are constructed, we need to take a human centric approach to ensure that the workers are happy and healthy. When designing any space, it is important to consider the relationships between the environmental, architectural characteristics and behavior and wellbeing. This is crucial in underground developments, as the initial cost of developing an underground space is significantly higher (at least in the short term) than aboveground and would have to be offset by a longer building life. Previous studies show negative attitudes towards working underground and hint at possible psychological and health complaints. Major themes include lighting and circadian rhythms, metabolic changes and claustrophobia. However, these studies are over thirty years old and mainly concentrate on self-report measures. To respond to this challenge, we have systematically examined the relationship between underground spaces and human performance in a 4 year research program. Using mixed methods such as psychophysiological measurements, cognitive tests and interviews, we examine the architectural and engineering choices that could impact or mitigate specific issues related to underground work environment.

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Acknowledgments

This material is based on research/work supported by the Land and Liveability National Innovation Challenge (L2 NIC) Award No. L2NICCFP1-2013-2 (PI: Chee-Kiong Soh). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the L2 NIC.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

    Chee-Kiong Soh, Vicknaeshwari Marimuther & Adam C. Roberts

  2. Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

    George I. Christopoulos

  3. Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

    Josip Car

  4. School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

    Kian-Woon Kwok

Authors
  1. Chee-Kiong Soh
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  2. Vicknaeshwari Marimuther
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  3. George I. Christopoulos
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  4. Adam C. Roberts
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  5. Josip Car
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  6. Kian-Woon Kwok
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adam C. Roberts .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of the Republic of San Marino, San Marino, San Marino

    Sebastiano Bagnara

  2. Centre for Clinical Risk Management and Patient Safety, Tuscany Region, Florence, Italy

    Riccardo Tartaglia

  3. Centre for Clinical Risk Management and Patient Safety, Tuscany Region, Florence, Italy

    Sara Albolino

  4. Fraunhofer FKIE, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Thomas Alexander

  5. International Ergonomics Association, Tokyo, Japan

    Yushi Fujita

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Soh, CK., Marimuther, V., Christopoulos, G.I., Roberts, A.C., Car, J., Kwok, KW. (2019). Underground Workspaces: A Human Factors Approach. In: Bagnara, S., Tartaglia, R., Albolino, S., Alexander, T., Fujita, Y. (eds) Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018). IEA 2018. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 825. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96068-5_82

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