Urban soil is a living infrastructure system that regulates water, temperature, carbon, biodiversity and even human health, yet it is routinely sealed, polluted or built over. When soils lose their ability to absorb rainfall, retain moisture, support vegetation and filter pollutants, cities experience hotter streets, higher flood risk, declining ecological function and weakened local food systems. As urban expansion consumes some of the world’s most fertile peri-urban soils, and climate pressures intensify, the state of the ground beneath our feet becomes a determining factor in whether cities remain safe, resilient and liveable. Recognising soil as core infrastructure, not a landscaping afterthought, is essential for designing urban environments that can withstand heat, manage water, sustain biodiversity and support public wellbeing.