[publicola1990]

Newer systems being built in Asia are avoiding subways/underground systems and preferring elevated systems. In fact during a major flood, the elevated railway was pretty much the only servicing transporting system in effect.

[liotier]

Because they trade ugly surface volume occupation for being much cheaper. Flood resistance is a side-effect.

[em-bee]

for someone who loves trains, above ground rails are not ugly

[ant6n]

The trains aren't ugly, the concrete infrastructure is. (Note that elevated trains in the US often look much nicer because they use steel structures, something that isn't being built today).

[JCharante]

Roads are ugly too compared to a meadow. I'd rather have cars underground and human-powered vehicles and pedestrian only areas instead of roads.

[xvilka]

On the other hand, in case of typhoon elevated lines often stop, unlike underground ones if there is no risk of flooding.

[refurb]

Not only subways, but when I was in Vietnam, a lot of the new highways around HCMC/Mekong Delta were all elevated for their entire length despite the landscape being flat. I assume to completely eliminate any flooding issues.

[andi999]

Which ones do you have in mind? All new lines in Shanghai are underground and so in a few other Chinese cities.

[JCharante]

Hanoi's lines under construction are all elevated.

[PicassoCTs]

Bangcok?