Webinar - Urban Development Around the Airport: What Drives Success?
Updated: Sep 28
On 17 September 2026, Airport Regions Council (ARC), together with the Airport City Academy, hosted a webinar exploring how airports, cities and regions can work together to create successful and resilient airport areas.
The session featured Dr. Max Hirsh and Pieter van der Horst, Managing Directors of the Airport City Academy and internationally recognised experts in airport urbanism and real estate development.
A central message of the webinar was that airport-area development cannot succeed when planned by an airport or municipality in isolation. Strong outcomes depend on early and continuous cooperation between airports, cities, regional authorities, landowners, developers and the people who use these areas.
Drawing on examples from Amsterdam Schiphol and Aviapolis in Vantaa, the speakers highlighted the importance of planning beyond the airport boundary, understanding the needs of passengers, employees, residents and businesses, and ensuring effective connections between airport terminals and their surrounding areas. They also showed how constraints such as aircraft noise, existing infrastructure and accessibility requirements can inform better land-use decisions and even create new opportunities.
Successful airport regions should be developed as active, attractive places rather than solely as business districts. A thoughtful mix of housing, workplaces, services and leisure facilities can create a strong local identity and help these areas remain vibrant throughout the day.
The discussion concluded that there is no single development model that every airport region can copy. What can be transferred, however, is a commitment to open communication, shared objectives and long-term collaboration.
The webinar ended with questions from participants on transport connectivity, airport cities at smaller or highly seasonal airports, stakeholder priorities and demonstrating the value of proposed development solutions.
View the PPT from the webinar below:
