Airports serve cities right? Positioned on the outskirts, they are just one of the metropolis’ many and varied parts.
So it has been in the past. But, perhaps, not the way it’ll be in the future.
A recent article in the Washington Post reports on the rise of the aerotropolis.
Put simply, an aerotropolis is a city built around an airport. Though the idea may sound bizarre initially, the article points out cities have always developed around transportation hubs – first ports and harbors, and latterly train stations.
The argument for the growth of these places goes thus: Globalization continues its rampant march…global travel will become ever more important…air is the only mode of travel that can serve such a fast-paced and globally connected world…ergo, airports will be at the heart of future cities.
Efficiency is key, so say the experts. One even suggests, “the old real-estate rule of ‘location, location, location’ is being swapped for the new rule of ‘accessibility, accessibility, accessibility’.”
Quite how ever-improving (i.e. faster, more sophisticated and increasingly reliable) telecommunications fit into the equation we don’t know.
So, where are these aeropolises? Songdo, the South Korean city connected by a 7.5-mile bridge to Incheon International Airport is mentioned as a prime example. So, too, is Dubai. The latter credited with changing global travel patterns thanks to its rise as a global travel hub.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Image: redjef25)
