Final answer:
We care about the urban subsurface because it includes critical infrastructure such as transit systems that are essential for sustainable city living. By subsidizing these systems, cities address a variety of urban challenges, promote efficient transportation, and support Transit-Oriented Development within the framework of New Urbanism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'The urban subsurface - why do we care?' touches upon the importance of the subsurface aspect of urban development and its impact on city life. Urban areas are increasingly subsidizing urban transit systems, including those that operate in the subsurface, like subways. This investment is largely based on the crucial role transit systems play in supporting robust economies, ensuring efficient movement of city residents, and contributing to sustainable urban growth.
Through the subsidization of these systems, cities aim to promote transit-oriented development, reduce traffic congestion, limit environmental pollution, and generally enhance the quality of life for urban dwellers. As such, caring about the subsurface infrastructure, like transit systems, is directly linked to caring about the overall welfare and functionality of urban spaces.
Furthermore, investments in these areas often have a cascading positive effect on other urban issues, including reducing the demand for extensive road infrastructure and fostering more pedestrian-friendly environments that are essential to New Urbanism's approach, which emphasizes mixed-use development and a reduced reliance on automobiles.