Construction Technologies and Practices in Sustainable Airport Development

Airports are a critical component of a region’s network and socioeconomic development. Regardless of the type of airport–commercial, general, regional, national, or international–their construction and development are highly advantageous to communities. Some advantages include, but are not limited to new job opportunities, access to the global market, and increased economic activity. Nonetheless, airport development has some downsides that a community must always account for. These downsides directly impact the sustainability of a region; greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy inefficiencies, water pollution, air pollution, and waste are just a few examples. However, twenty-first century global sustainability efforts are shifting the dynamic of sustainability practices in the U.S. The fight for a balance between socioeconomic benefits and the minimization of negative environmental impacts is advancing thanks to the development and implementation of sustainable practices and technology. For instance, U.S. airport development has seen a rise in the use of sustainable construction technologies and practices. Some of the examples of construction technologies and practices implemented in sustainable airport development are virtual design and construction, Spot by Boston Dynamics, prefabrication, and others. The multiple-case studies based on these technologies and practices indicate joint efforts for sustainability by the aviation and construction industries.