Future airports are going green—like parks that are both massive and efficient

By Rita

According to U.S. research firm Plunkett Research, starting in 2033, the number of travelers and airports alike will double, and demographic shifts will soon test airport capacity. In addition to improving efficiency, future airports—driven by growing environmental awareness—will no longer resemble bus terminals but rather large-scale, sustainability-focused “parks.”

Reported by CNN“If you had to summarize the characteristics of future airports in just two words, they would be ‘big’ and ‘efficient,’” said Plunkett, CEO of the research firm. Take the new Mexican airport set to be completed in 2020—it will serve 50 million passengers annually, and every aspect of its design embodies the concept of being “environmentally friendly”: boarding gates within walking distance, a solar-powered roof, and rainwater recycling.

▲ The new Mexican airport, set to be completed in 2020, not only has a cool design but also incorporates eco-friendly principles throughout (Photo /Foster + Partners fan page)

“China has been a leader on this issue, with examples like the Beijing Olympics and the Shanghai Expo greatly raising the bar for airport sustainability,” Plunkett said. He noted that during the Expo, maglev trains transported passengers to the airport at speeds of 250 miles per hour.

The new Mexican airport was designed by Foster + Partners, whose previous work includes Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport—a building famous for its “giant dragon” appearance, yet fundamentally focused on “efficiency,” “sustainability,” and “natural light usage.” The skylight design maximizes daylight exposure, while shuttle buses traveling at 80 miles per hour can deliver passengers between terminals in just two minutes. Moreover, the heating and cooling systems are engineered to reduce energy consumption.

Beyond China, London’s Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 2 is a successful example of a green airport. It was the world’s first airport terminal to receive a “green building” certification, thanks to its sustainable design and operations—including reduced carbon dioxide emissions, water efficiency, and a lighting control system that cuts down on energy use. The terminal aims to recycle or compost 70% of its waste by 2020.

U.S. airports are also actively working toward environmental sustainability: the Chicago Department of Aviation has introduced goats, sheep, camels, and donkeys—herbivorous animals—to manage over 3,200 hectares of land at O’Hare International Airport, reducing the need for toxic herbicides. Denver International Airport has just added a new solar array (a massive collection of solar panels), which reportedly offsets greenhouse gas emissions and provides enough electricity for 500 households. Beyond using green construction materials in architectural design, airports are also making small improvements, such as adding more water fountains to reduce plastic bottle waste.