Bibliographic Information
Shin, Ye-Kyeong. “A Study on the Urban Spatial Significance of Railway Undergrounding—Focused on Grand Central Terminal.”
Journal of the Korea Institute of Spatial Design, 16(2), pp. 65–78, 2021.
ISSN 1976-4405
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35216/kisd.2021.16.2.65
Research Summary
This study historically examines the underground development of Grand Central Terminal and its influence on the three-dimensional restructuring of Manhattan. The project was driven by advances in electric railway technology, restrictions on steam locomotives following railway accidents, and demands to improve the deteriorated environment of Park Avenue.
Using air rights, William Wilgus constructed extensive underground tracks and platforms between 42nd and 59th Streets. This created a vertically layered urban structure, with high-density and high-rise buildings above ground and railway facilities below. Undergrounding also reconnected areas previously divided by railway tracks, improved pedestrian safety and land-use efficiency, and enabled the integrated development of central Manhattan.