Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below. I never fully appreciated Suzhou’s beauty until I visited. It has been six months since I joined the Suzhou Urban Management Bureau for training, and what stands out to me is not only the stunning gardens and rich cultural heritage, but also the city’s impressive urban planning and management.
Stepping into the Dushu Lake Moon Bay Business District in Suzhou Industrial Park, you immediately notice the exceptionally smooth roads, with no visible manhole covers. The skyline is a crisp blend of modern buildings and lush greenery, free from overhead cables. This is because all water pipes, power lines, and communication cables are housed in spacious underground utility tunnels—the first comprehensive underground pipe gallery in Jiangsu Province, known as the Suzhou Moon Bay Comprehensive Pipe Gallery.
A comprehensive pipe gallery reflects a city’s commitment to thoughtful infrastructure. Suzhou began building the Moon Bay pipe gallery in 2009. Alongside its construction, the city implemented operational and maintenance protocols, officially launching the system in 2011. To further advance underground pipe gallery networks, Suzhou was selected as one of China’s first pilot cities for comprehensive pipe galleries in 2015, achieving a high score of 94.29. After three years of development, Suzhou passed the acceptance inspection by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development in September 2018. The city has since gained valuable experience in planning, innovative financing, overcoming construction challenges, and establishing standardized, intelligent maintenance operations. Beyond the initial five pilot projects, Suzhou continues to expand its comprehensive pipe galleries, aiming to build approximately 193 kilometers by 2030.
One major benefit of comprehensive pipe galleries is the reduction of frequent road excavations. Traditional pipelines buried directly underground generally have a limited lifespan—cables last about 15 years, while cast iron water pipes typically last 20 to 30 years. Factors like corrosion, oxidation, and ground pressure can further shorten their durability. As a result, conventional pipelines require frequent digging for repairs or replacement, which damages roads and landscaping and disrupts daily life. With comprehensive pipe galleries, pipelines can be accessed, connected, and replaced within the tunnel itself, eliminating the need to disturb the road surface. This approach saves maintenance and repair costs and greatly improves residents’ quality of life.
Comprehensive pipe galleries also enhance urban safety and security. Pipelines laid by traditional direct burial methods are vulnerable to accidental damage during construction, leading to water leaks, gas outages, power failures, and communication disruptions. Water supply pipeline damage, for example, occurs frequently. However, by housing pipelines within dedicated underground galleries, the risk of damage is significantly reduced. Even when pipelines age or sustain damage, repairs can be carried out promptly inside the gallery, minimizing leaks and preventing serious underground accidents, thereby ensuring the city’s safe operation.
Borrowing ideas from other cities can be invaluable. Fuzhou is now actively promoting the construction of underground comprehensive pipe galleries alongside new road projects. To successfully implement this “conscientious” infrastructure, Fuzhou can take inspiration from Suzhou’s advanced practices. First, thorough planning is essential. Fuzhou should develop a comprehensive plan for underground galleries based on its urban layout, land use plans, and geological conditions, coordinating construction with new road development. Second, institutional support is crucial. Relevant utility providers (water, electricity, gas, etc.) should be integrated under a state-owned pipe gallery company responsible for investment, construction, operation, and maintenance. This entity should also establish a complete BIM-based system for operations, subsidies, and corridor access management. Finally, intelligent operation and maintenance systems must be built. By creating a command and monitoring center, a three-dimensional management system can be established to oversee daily operations, emergency responses, standard procedures, and professional maintenance.
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