Spatial Planning Models of Airport-Driven Urban Development

Abstract

Airports have been relatively neglected in scholarly planning literature despite their historic role in shaping metropolitan form. Their transformation into major mixed-use urban nodes anchoring subregional realms of aviation-oriented development has underscored their significance as agents of and products of globalization. Reviewing the trends and planning issues arising, several normative models of airport spaces are identified and discussed in relation to sustainable development objectives. The contestation of airport expansion that has made for epic political battles in diverse settings and its implications for models of airport-led urban development is noted. The review is guided by the notion of the sustainable airport region, which ultimately requires a rapprochement between airport master plans and broader urban planning strategies.

Cities and flows: re-asserting a relationship as fundamental as it is delicate

“…The territorial imprint of airports and the associated planning challenges are tremendous and have received increasing coverage recently, both in the planning and urban-regional studies communities (see e.g. Freestone, 2009;Stevens et al, 2010;Freestone and Baker, 2011;van Wijk et al, 2011). However, at this point the more recent development trajectory of airports is particularly relevant, since they seem to shift from pure infrastructural and multi-modal nodes towards multifunctional service locations, focusing on non-aviation services such as retail or real estate development, in addition to the traditional business model (Schaafsma, 2003).…”

Spatial economic attributes of O.R. Tambo and Cape Town airport-centric developments in South Africa

“…• the effects of aircraft and airport noise, as synthesised by Mestre (2008) • the economic benefits of airports, commonly documented in airport economic impact reports (see Karlsson et al [2008] for a synthesis) • models that propose the ideal spatial form and mix of developments emanating from airports (for a thorough overview, see Freestone and Baker [2011] Giuliano & Small 1991, 1999Hoare 1974Hoare , 1975Keeble 1968;McMillen & McDonald 1998;Prosperi 2007Prosperi , 2008Rogerson 1998;Shukla & Waddell 1991;Sivitanidou 1996;Sohn 2004;Vahaly 1976;Van Wijk 2007;Warffemius 2007).…”

The Making of an Australian ‘Airport City’

“…The changing nature of airports, and particularly the integration of aviation with commercial activity, is captured in the concept of the ‘airport city’ (Peneda et al ., ). This is one of several competing spatial imaginaries seeking to depict and promote airport‐centric development (Freestone and Baker, ). Definitions and connotations vary, with the definition of Güller and Güller (, 70) adopted here: ‘the more or less dense cluster of operational, airport‐related activities, plus other commercial and business concerns, on and around the airport platform’ (see also Figure ).…”