The world of underground opportunities beneath us
Underground Space


New 10 minutes video ”The world of underground opportunities"


Community structures are becoming more dense as homes and jobs concentrate in certain areas. Information, energy and water in their different forms travel in increasingly dense intersecting networks. We have also learned to expect services like road and trail traffic to function seamlessly every day, all year round.

Our fast pace of life has made us appreciate the space, nature, cleanliness and peace that surrounds us. Our children must also have the opportunity to experience what the Finnish countryside has to offer. We want to cherish and foster these values, even though the world around us is changing.

The solid rock in Finland is something of an underrated natural resource: we have not quite realised its significance. Our bedrock has endured thousands of years of history, unyielding, without so much as a quiver. Here in Finland, we can be proud of our high level expertise in planning, building and making use of rock caverns.

Underground construction is deeply rooted in Finland. It does not burden the environment – on the contrary, it enables above-ground areas to be used for other purposes, such as recreation. Making use of underground space is a sustainable solution: natural gravel from ridge formations, which used to be transported from great distances, can be replaced with excavated rock.

The Finnish Tunnelling Association (MTR-FTA) brings together top experts who are committed to promoting the research, planning and construction as well as the diverse and versatile use of underground spaces. MTR-FTA has worked in underground construction since 1974.

Making use of underground spaces is a global trend that is gaining momentum. Finnish experts belong to the highest international level in the field of hard rock engineering. MTR-FTA is a trailblazer that represents Finland in the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA).

Underground construction builds a better tomorrow for us all.

ITA-AITES WORLD TUNNEL CONGRESS 21 - 26 MAY 2011 HELSINKI FINLAND