Underground car park

A car park is a designated area or building where cars and other vehicles can be parked and left temporarily. In American English, it is referred to as a ‘parking lot’. Car parks are a common feature of the built environment, and often adjoin shopping centres, public buildings, schools, sports or entertainment venues, and so on.

Underground car parks are parking facilities that are built beneath the ground, either in the basement of a building or beneath a street. The primary advantage to this type of car park is that it can be developed in high-density urban areas where street-level space is at a premium. It is also hidden from view, and can provide enhanced security and weather protection for vehicles. However, access to and from underground car parks can be complex, as can building services such as lighting and ventilation, and they are typically expensive to excavate and construct. Security and safety measures must also be in place to prevent unauthorised access, provide surveillance and to facilitate escape in the event of an emergency.

Underground car parks can be constructed using steel sheet piles as a retaining structure, and concrete floors can be designed to stabilise the finished structure.