First International Conference on the Exploitation and Utilization of Underground Space (EUUS2019) in Wuhan, China

Through ESM Partner YES the Chair of the ESM Board was invited to participate in the First International Conference on the Exploitation and Utilization of Underground Space (EUUS2019) held in Wuhan, China, on November 15-18, 2019. This International Conference marked the formal entry of the Geosciences in the planning and construction of underground structures which was dominated by engineers and miners only for over a century.  Planners became involved already through ACUUS since the 1970’s, while urban geologists actively began to participate in ACUUS since the last few years, particularly due to the many and large-scale underground activities in China. This development has now been acknowledged by UN HABITAT and through various Declarations, including the WUHAN Declaration adopted in this Conference. The Wuhan Declaration urges adequate use of geoscientific data and information for planning and construction of underground structures. Next, the Declaration will be used as a model for developing guidelines and best practices for underground development. EUUS2019 demonstrated that a new generation of international experts is ready to pave the way towards a new urban human society which will be increasingly underground.

Opening of the First International Conference on Exploitation and Utilization of Underground Space (EUUS2019) in Wuhan, by Prof. LI Xiaozhao.

ESM Lecturing project at Shandong University (19-20 November 2019)

Chair of the Board, Eduardo de Mulder, presenting lecture for students at Shandong University.

On invitation of the Shandong University (Prof XUE Zhenhan) and in pursuit of ESM’s participation in EUUS2019 (see above), a lecture was given for master and PhD students in Jinan on 20 November. The title of the lecture was ‘Geosciences for your generation’. This lecture is the first in a series of forthcoming lectures at this university to be held on an annual basis.

ESM visit tot he BAW automobile factory in Dezhou

While visiting the Shandong Province, ESM’s Chair of the Board also met with Mr. LU Yanran, who is the liaison between the BAW car factory and ESM Partner PNSO who operate closely togtether these days. The new concept car model GEOSCIENTIST, that will be produced from Early 2020, was shown and its features as a 4WD were discussed (see picture below).

Mr. LU Yanran with BAW’s new concept car model GEOSCIENTIST