Giulio Di Sturco

Aerotropolis

An aerotropolis is a city whose main function is its airport, which boosts business and development in a hub around it. The idea belongs to futurist John D. Kasarda, who believes airports will be the capitals of the future. These new hubs have drawn in tens connection. But what are they like to live in?

This body of work is the first to capture life in the airport city offering a look inside the original ground-breakers. It comes at an important time, because airports will shape urban development in the 21st century as much as highways did in the 20th century, railroads in the 19th century and seaports in the 18th century. If the model becomes the way we live next, it is vital to show how it will impact human lives.

An aerotropolis is a city whose main function is its airport, which boosts business and development in a hub around it. The idea belongs to futurist John D. Kasarda, who believes airports will be the capitals of the future. These new hubs have drawn in tens thousands of residents, all with hopes of good jobs, new homes and global connection. But what are they like to live in?

This body of work is the first to capture life in the airport city offering a look inside the original ground-breakers. It comes at an important time, because airports will shape urban development in the 21st century as much as highways did in the 20th century, railroads in the 19th century and seaports in the 18th century. If the model becomes the way we live next, it is vital to show how it will impact human lives.

Gardens by the Bay, a nature park spanning 101 hectares of reclaimed land in central Singapore. Singapore Changi Airport, more than 15,000 people are employed at the airport, with a direct economic impact to Singapore of more than $ 4.5 billion annually. The 47 hectare Airfreight Center has nine airfreight terminals with a combined yearly handling capacity of 3 million tons. More than 60 percent of the airport's revenues come from non-aeronautical activities. Once its latest upgrade is complete, Singapore's Changi Airport will have the capacity to handle 64 million passangers a year which is 16 times Singapore's population. The airport features supermarkets, a 350 room hotel, cinemas, swimming pool, saunas and a rooftop cactus garden. There is also a strong focus on industry with the extensive Changi Airfreight Center and a Free Trade Zone called Airport Logistic Park of Singapore located alongside the airport.
Songdo International Business District, South Korea, 2014. Songdo is a smoke-free city, therefore smoking is not allowed in public spaces. Smokers have to use designated areas or booths like this one.
New Songdo International Business District is a compelling aerotropolis strategically located just over 7 miles from Incheon International Airport. Major airports have become key nodes in global production and enterprise systems offering them speed, agility, and connectivity. They are also powerful engines of local economic development, attracting aviation-linked businesses of all types to their environs. These include, among others, time-sensitive manufacturing and distribution facilities; hotel, entertainment, retail, convention, trade and exhibition complexes; and office buildings that house air-travel intensive executives and professionals.. The rapid expansion of airport-linked commercial facilities is making today's air gateways anchors of 21st century metropolitan development where distant travelers and locals alike can conduct business, exchange knowledge, shop, eat, sleep, and be entertained without going more than 15 minutes from the airport. This functional and spatial evolution is transforming many city airports into airport cities. The Aerotropolis consists of an airport city and outlying corridors and clusters of aviation-linked businesses and associated residential development. A number of these clusters such as Amsterdam Zuidas, Las Colinas, Texas, and South Korea's Songdo International Business District have become globally significant airport edge-cities representing planned postmodern urban mega-development in the age of the Aerotropolis.
Hong Kong - On the outside, CX City (or Cathay City, whichever), is a quiet and seemingly calm business block. Step inside, however, and you're immediately engulfed in the energy of a company that's got places to go and airplanes to fly. Flight attendants in their sharp red skirt suits powerwalk past, desk workers grab a candy bar from the atrium shop before going back to tweaking graphic design on an in-flight meal napkin, and pilots grab a post-flight beer in the pub. The concept behind Cathay Pacific City was to build a new “city” to serve over 3,000 staff in Hong Kong with all the necessary facilities under the same roof. Built on four hectares of reclaimed land at the southeast corner of Hong Kong International Airport, Cathay Pacific City spans a total of 1.3 million square feet and cost HK$4.9 billion to realize, making it one of the largest corporate headquarters in Asia.
Control Room of Songdo city. New Songdo International Business District is a compelling aerotropolis strategically located just over 7 miles from Incheon International Airport. Major airports have become key nodes in global production and enterprise systems offering them speed, agility, and connectivity. They are also powerful engines of local economic development, attracting aviation-linked businesses of all types to their environs. These include, among others, time-sensitive manufacturing and distribution facilities; hotel, entertainment, retail, convention, trade and exhibition complexes; and office buildings that house air-travel intensive executives and professionals.. The rapid expansion of airport-linked commercial facilities is making today's air gateways anchors of 21st century metropolitan development where distant travelers and locals alike can conduct business, exchange knowledge, shop, eat, sleep, and be entertained without going more than 15 minutes from the airport. This functional and spatial evolution is transforming many city airports into airport cities. The Aerotropolis consists of an airport city and outlying corridors and clusters of aviation-linked businesses and associated residential development. A number of these clusters such as Amsterdam Zuidas, Las Colinas, Texas, and South Korea's Songdo International Business District have become globally significant airport edge-cities representing planned postmodern urban mega-development in the age of the Aerotropolis.
Inside CX City, Hong Kong. On the Inside, CX City (or Cathay City, whichever), is a quiet and seemingly calm business block. Step inside, however, and you’re immediately engulfed in the energy of a company that’s got places to go and airplanes to fly. Flight attendants in their sharp red skirt suits powerwalk past, desk workers grab a candy bar from the atrium shop before going back to tweaking graphic design on an in-flight meal napkin, and pilots grab a post-flight beer in the pub. The concept behind Cathay Pacific City was to build a new “city” to serve over 3,000 staff in Hong Kong with all the necessary facilities under the same roof. Built on four hectares of reclaimed land at the southeast corner of Hong Kong International Airport, Cathay Pacific City spans a total of 1.3 million square feet and cost HK$4.9 billion to realize, making it one of the largest corporate headquarters in Asia.
The market auction of Aalsmeer, at night, in the largest hangar in the world. In the "Wall Street of Flowers", the money has the smell of the rose, the tulip and the onion. Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport, the global hub of plants, hosts in its basement the largest flower auction in the world. 20 million flowers pass each day from hand to hand - 70% of of the global market. Local tulips, of course, but also - and increasingly - seeds, bulbs and cuttings from Ethiopia, Kenya, Costa Rica ... A global business that has became the trademark of the whole Amsterdam region, employing more than 30,000 people in this sector. Not just gardeners but nanobiologists, genomics experts, cold chain engineers, and the "nannies" in charge of plant nurseries that grow on the slopes of Schiphol. Backtracking the industry and networks that lead to our local florists makes us discover a world that is both colorful and highly technological. A "green cluster" of 70 km around Amsterdam where start-ups mingles with universities, big corporations and a myriad of small business. Amsterdam is what we call an "Aerotropolis" (an airport within a city, with tight economic links). And this particular airport makes Holland - one of the smallest countries in the world - an economic giant. A valley of flowers which represents a turnover of 10 billion euros. With two peaks in the year: Valentine and Mother's Day
Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the gateway for Southeast Asia. It has the world's tallest free-standing control tower (434 feet), and the world's 4th largest single-building airport terminal (6,060,000 square feet). Suvarnabhumi is the 6th busiest airport in Asia, and the busiest in the country, having handled 47.9 million passengers in 2011, and is also a major air cargo hub, with a total of 96 airlines. On social networks, Suvarnabhumi is the world's 2nd most popular place where Instagram photos were taken in 2011. Global logistics giant DHL launched its 22-million-dollar hub at Bangkok`s new international airport as part of the company`s strategy to boost its growth in Southeast Asia. DHL`s 12,000 square meter (129,000 square feet) cargo facility at Suvarnabhumi is five times larger than its former facility at the old Don Muang airport and has the capacity to handle more than 23,000 pieces per hour, the company said.
New Songdo International Business District is a compelling aerotropolis strategically located just over 7 miles from Incheon International Airport. Major airports have become key nodes in global production and enterprise systems offering them speed, agility, and connectivity. They are also powerful engines of local economic development, attracting aviation-linked businesses of all types to their environs. These include, among others, time-sensitive manufacturing and distribution facilities; hotel, entertainment, retail, convention, trade and exhibition complexes; and office buildings that house air-travel intensive executives and professionals.. The rapid expansion of airport-linked commercial facilities is making today's air gateways anchors of 21st century metropolitan development where distant travelers and locals alike can conduct business, exchange knowledge, shop, eat, sleep, and be entertained without going more than 15 minutes from the airport. This functional and spatial evolution is transforming many city airports into airport cities. The Aerotropolis consists of an airport city and outlying corridors and clusters of aviation-linked businesses and associated residential development. A number of these clusters such as Amsterdam Zuidas, Las Colinas, Texas, and South Korea's Songdo International Business District have become globally significant airport edge-cities representing planned postmodern urban mega-development in the age of the Aerotropolis.
New Songdo International Business District is a compelling aerotropolis strategically located just over 7 miles from Incheon International Airport. Major airports have become key nodes in global production and enterprise systems offering them speed, agility, and connectivity. They are also powerful engines of local economic development, attracting aviation-linked businesses of all types to their environs. These include, among others, time-sensitive manufacturing and distribution facilities; hotel, entertainment, retail, convention, trade and exhibition complexes; and office buildings that house air-travel intensive executives and professionals.. The rapid expansion of airport-linked commercial facilities is making today's air gateways anchors of 21st century metropolitan development where distant travelers and locals alike can conduct business, exchange knowledge, shop, eat, sleep, and be entertained without going more than 15 minutes from the airport. This functional and spatial evolution is transforming many city airports into airport cities. The Aerotropolis consists of an airport city and outlying corridors and clusters of aviation-linked businesses and associated residential development. A number of these clusters such as Amsterdam Zuidas, Las Colinas, Texas, and South Korea's Songdo International Business District have become globally significant airport edge-cities representing planned postmodern urban mega-development in the age of the Aerotropolis.
Dayli life in the new business district of Singapore. Singapore Changi Airport, more than 15,000 people are employed at the airport, with a direct economic impact to Singapore of more than $ 4.5 billion annually. The 47 hectare Airfreight Center has nine airfreight terminals with a combined yearly handling capacity of 3 million tons. More than 60 percent of the airport's revenues come from non-aeronautical activities. Once its latest upgrade is complete, Singapore's Changi Airport will have the capacity to handle 64 million passangers a year which is 16 times Singapore's population. The airport features supermarkets, a 350 room hotel, cinemas, swimming pool, saunas and a rooftop cactus garden. There is also a strong focus on industry with the extensive Changi Airfreight Center and a Free Trade Zone called Airport Logistic Park of Singapore located alongside the airport.
Songdo International Business District, South Korea, 2015. Elderly woman looking out of the window of her new apartment, where she was moved by order of the South Korean Government. She had never step foot in a skyscraper before and spent 5 hours gazing in awe at a landscape completely new to her.
A business man waiting for his flight at Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport. BKK is the gateway for Southeast Asia. It has the world's tallest free-standing control tower (434 feet), and the world's 4th largest single-building airport terminal (6,060,000 square feet). Suvarnabhumi is the 6th busiest airport in Asia, and the busiest in the country, having handled 47.9 million passengers in 2011, and is also a major air cargo hub, with a total of 96 airlines. Global logistics giant DHL launched its 22-million-dollar hub here as part of the company's strategy to boost its growth in Southeast Asia. DHL's 12,000 square meter (129,000 square feet) cargo facility at Suvarnabhumi is five times larger than its former facility at the old Don Muang airport and, according to the company, has the capacity to handle more than 23,000 pieces per hour.
Singapore Changi Airport. More than 15,000 people are employed at the airport, with a direct economic impact to Singapore of more than $ 4.5 billion annually. The 47 hectare Airfreight Center has nine airfreight terminals with a combined yearly handling capacity of 3 million tons. More than 60 percent of the airport's revenues come from non-aeronautical activities. Once its latest upgrade is complete, Singapore's Changi Airport will have the capacity to handle 64 million passangers a year which is 16 times Singapore's population. The airport features supermarkets, a 350 room hotel, cinemas, swimming pool, saunas and a rooftop cactus garden. There is also a strong focus on industry with the extensive Changi Airfreight Center and a Free Trade Zone called Airport Logistic Park of Singapore located alongside the airport.
Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the gateway for Southeast Asia. It has the world's tallest free-standing control tower (434 feet), and the world's 4th largest single-building airport terminal (6,060,000 square feet). Suvarnabhumi is the 6th busiest airport in Asia, and the busiest in the country, having handled 47.9 million passengers in 2011, and is also a major air cargo hub, with a total of 96 airlines. On social networks, Suvarnabhumi is the world's 2nd most popular place where Instagram photos were taken in 2011. Global logistics giant DHL launched its 22-million-dollar hub at Bangkok`s new international airport as part of the company`s strategy to boost its growth in Southeast Asia. DHL`s 12,000 square meter (129,000 square feet) cargo facility at Suvarnabhumi is five times larger than its former facility at the old Don Muang airport and has the capacity to handle more than 23,000 pieces per hour, the company said.
Dayli life in the new business district of Singapore Nov 2012. Singapore Changi Airport, more than 15,000 people are employed at the airport, with a direct economic impact to Singapore of more than $ 4.5 billion annually. The 47 hectare Airfreight Center has nine airfreight terminals with a combined yearly handling capacity of 3 million tons. More than 60 percent of the airport's revenues come from non-aeronautical activities. Once its latest upgrade is complete, Singapore's Changi Airport will have the capacity to handle 64 million passangers a year which is 16 times Singapore's population. The airport features supermarkets, a 350 room hotel, cinemas, swimming pool, saunas and a rooftop cactus garden. There is also a strong focus on industry with the extensive Changi Airfreight Center and a Free Trade Zone called Airport Logistic Park of Singapore located alongside the airport.
AEROTROPOLIS, AMSTERDAM SEPTEMBER 2015 Genomic laboratories where are created the plants of tomorrow. @Giulio Di Sturco
jDisturco 004
New Songdo International Business District is a compelling aerotropolis strategically located just over 7 miles from Incheon International Airport. Major airports have become key nodes in global production and enterprise systems offering them speed, agility, and connectivity. They are also powerful engines of local economic development, attracting aviation-linked businesses of all types to their environs. These include, among others, time-sensitive manufacturing and distribution facilities; hotel, entertainment, retail, convention, trade and exhibition complexes; and office buildings that house air-travel intensive executives and professionals.. The rapid expansion of airport-linked commercial facilities is making today's air gateways anchors of 21st century metropolitan development where distant travelers and locals alike can conduct business, exchange knowledge, shop, eat, sleep, and be entertained without going more than 15 minutes from the airport. This functional and spatial evolution is transforming many city airports into airport cities. The Aerotropolis consists of an airport city and outlying corridors and clusters of aviation-linked businesses and associated residential development. A number of these clusters such as Amsterdam Zuidas, Las Colinas, Texas, and South Korea's Songdo International Business District have become globally significant airport edge-cities representing planned postmodern urban mega-development in the age of the Aerotropolis.