More than a quarter century solving complex underground puzzles

Karin de Haas, director of the CDE, explains, "Because of the soft ground, the North/South Line was going to be an issue with complex puzzles. We could only find the right solutions with combined forces. Later the tasks broadened, not only within the tunnel sector, but for the entire COB network. Also in the field of cables and pipelines, parties need each other and therefore there is a task for the CDE."

Broad themes

Today, as a knowledge center, think tank and flywheel, the CDE can no longer be ignored in the world of underground infrastructure. "In all underground disciplines, the tasks are big right now," Karin continues. "The approach to road tunnels, which are almost all in need of replacement or renovation due to their age. The big questions surrounding energy transition, climate adaptation and the densification of cities, with all the implications this has for underground cables and pipes. The role of digitization ... As COB, we act as a spider in the web."

"Knowledge sharing and development are essential for the network. Especially for some 'new' topics," Karin said. "For example, we have several projects going on with us around sustainability; for the tunnel world this is very topical. Digitalization also plays a big role today, of course, but what does that mean in practice, for example for managers? By working together intelligently on such topics, everyone ultimately benefits. Indeed: without the right cooperation, we won't get there, given the breadth of these topics."

Value

Gijsbert Schuur has worked for Antea Group for more than 25 years as a senior consultant in the field of soil, subsoil and energy transition. Since 2017, he is also coordinator at the CDE. Among other things, he leads the platform Value Underground Space Use. Gijsbert: "Value, like sustainability, is an umbrella topic, it comes back in several places. Often underground construction is dismissed as expensive, but if you look at the complete picture, so also at the gains in spatial quality and livability, it is very questionable whether that is true."

"The CDE is not a lobbyist for underground construction," adds Edith Boonsma. She has worked at COB since 2009 and is particularly involved in the Cables and Pipelines focus area. "We want underground construction to be taken into account in a fair way in solutions to a spatial problem. And that requires more knowledge; knowledge about technology, cooperation, policy, project management, human behavior. This is all reflected in the CDE projects."

It's also about cross-pollination between disciplines. Gijsbert: "That's what the Vision designing contractors project, for example, is aimed at. In it, the COB network wants to show what value can be added to underground construction from the contractor's perspective."

Trust and behavior

Among other things, Edith is program manager of the Knowledge Arena on Cables and Pipelines. Edith: "When it comes to installing or modifying cables and pipelines, each party has different interests. Often these interests are conflicting, but for the energy transition, replacement task and climate task you need each other; parties see that. Privatization means that everyone has their own infranet network and everyone works for themselves. Everyone understands that things can - and must - be done more efficiently! The past two years in particular have shown this very much. Parties meet in the Knowledge Arena. There they share knowledge and experience and work together on solutions that can help all parties. Together we get where we want to go. There is more and more emphasis on behavior, which often turns out to be the crux. Behavioral scientists and anthropologists are therefore increasingly involved in research projects."

Karin adds: "A good example is the project Together without Damage. Despite all kinds of rules and tools for a careful digging process, a lot of digging damage still occurs. That's why the question is now being asked why people behave the way they do. A game has been developed to simulate reality so that a behavioral psychologist can analyze what is happening and suggest effective interventions." Edith cites the example of whether or not ground investigation is done for a project: "Suppose no preliminary investigation is done and it turns out there is contamination or an unexpected cable in the ground anyway, is it fair to hold the last link responsible?" Karin: "By having professionals look into behavioral processes, we will hopefully get a better handle on that. When you understand the why, then you can positively influence behavior."

Don't bullshit but polish

"We have to turn intentions into actions," Edith said. "There is a lot of talk about cooperation, in discussions everyone agrees that working together is the right way to go. However, practice shows that little comes of that. We have to make sure that it does not remain just promises, but that action is actually taken." Karin agrees and says, "That's why as CDE we set concrete goals. We program research over the longer term, but in manageable chunks, so that working groups can celebrate a success every year." Gijsbert emphasizes that the vast majority participate for free: "We make sure that everyone can share in the knowledge and can participate. Gaining knowledge by participating, that is the CDE's slogan."