About Us

U4V, an open expert network, brings together those committed to safeguarding Underground Built Heritage while unlocking the regenerative potential of subterranean spaces in urban and rural areas.

NETWORK

U4V is an international community of practice that connects people and disciplines across Europe to foster knowledge exchange, collaborative governance, and innovative heritage management.

UNDERGROUND SITES

Our pilot sites serve as real-world labs demonstrating, through both successes and failures, how UBH can drive social innovation, regeneration, and community engagement.

TOOLS FOR PROFESSIONALS

U4V offers operational and methodological tools that translate research into actionable knowledge to support decision-makers, practitioners, and citizens in managing and valorising underground heritage

EDUCATIONAL TRAINING

U4V places education at its core, developing training schools, workshops, and teaching materials to foster awareness, creativity, and capacity-building for future professionals and engaged citizens.

The U4V Platform

The U4V Platform (www.u4v.org) is a multilingual, geo-referenced interactive hub that not only offers information on underground heritage sites and routes, but also invites everyone to contribute by adding new locations and pathways, helping the platform grow as a shared, community-driven resource.

Go to U4V.org

Our Team

Who We Are

Giuseppe Pace
Giuseppe Pace

First Researcher at CNR-IRISS, Executive Responsible

Erlisiana Anzalone
Erlisiana Anzalone

Researcher at CNR-IRISS, Scientific dissemination Responsible

Valeria Catanese
Valeria Catanese

Communication Responsible CNR-IRISS, Network coordination

Giuseppe Pace
Carmen Di Meo

Independent researcher, CTER, CNR-ILIESI, New initiatives and U4V branding

SOME INSIGHTS

Our Mission & Vision

MISSION

Preserve Underground Heritage

We protect Europe’s underground sites as vital cultural, historical, and ecological assets.

Foster Sustainable Development

We promote approaches that turn underground heritage into opportunities for regeneration, tourism, and local prosperity.

Engage Communities

We empower local communities to participate in the responsible management and valorisation of their underground heritage.

Build Skills and Knowledge

We provide tools, methods, and training to support effective, informed, and inclusive heritage management.

VISION

A Recognised Cultural Asset

We envision a UBH fully valued as part of Europe’s shared cultural and natural landscape.

Integrated Sustainable Use

We see UBH contributing to greener cities, resilient rural areas, and ecological protection.

Responsible Growth for All

We strive for heritage-based development that benefits communities, visitors, and future generations.

A Collaborative Knowledge Community

We imagine a connected ecosystem where experts and citizens co-create innovative solutions for UBH conservation.

Our Expert Committee

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Muge Akkar Erkan, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (TR)
Sergey Balandin, FRUCT Oy (FI)
Tony Cassar, Heritage Malta (MT)
Shirley Cefai, University of Malta, Msida (MT)
Nasso Chrysochou, Frederick University, Limassol (CY)
Gabriella Esposito, CNR-IRISS, Naples (IT)
Szilvia Fábián, Hungarian National Museum, Budapest (HU)
Carmen Granito, Interpret Europe (EU)
Reuben Grima, University of Malta, Msida (MT)
Pinar Karagoz, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (TR)
Ernesto Marcheggiani, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona (IT)
Susana Martinez-Rodriguez, University of Murcia, Murcia (ES)
Rita Occhiuto, University of Liege, Liege (BE)
Giuseppe Pace, CNR-IRISS, Naples (IT)
Fabio Pagano, PAFLEG, Pozzuoli (NA) (IT)
Renata Salvarani, European University of Rome, Rome (IT)
Carlos Smaniotto Costa, Lusófona University, Lisbon (PT)
Dov Winer, MAKASH (IL)

Join the U4V Network

Become part of an international community committed to unlocking the UBH potential

By joining us, you can:

  • Collaborate on projects and case studies across Europe.
  • Contribute new underground sites and routes to the U4V Platform.
  • Participate in workshops, training activities, and living labs.
  • Access and co-develop tools for sustainable heritage management.
Join Now!