Application of shotcrete tunneling has increased in urban areas of Japan as a result of technological development, such as that of large-scale fore -piling method, and countermeasure work. However, there had been no well-established design methods for urban shotcrete tunnels. Then, a new design standard for them was established in March 2002, based on the investigation and analysis of several design and construction experiences. This paper describes the concept and some aspects of this new design standard.