Restrict PHP access to root folders?

Question

Im making sort of a service where people can upload PHP files and they get their own directory.

Is there a way to prevent any way the PHP can access the root of the server? and just stay in the bounderies of its folder?

Answer 1

The open_basedir directive does just that :

Limit the files that can be opened by PHP to the specified directory-tree, including the file itself.

Answer 2

The most secure would be to chroot Apache and PHP.