When we think about airport infrastructure, our attention usually goes towards runways, terminals, control towers and aircraft stands. Yet there is another enormous piece of airport property sitting in plain sight: the roofs.
Airport terminals, hangars, parking structures and maintenance facilities can collectively provide substantial roof space. Instead of leaving these surfaces largely unused, sustainable airport design can turn them into productive infrastructure.
Solar energy is perhaps the most obvious opportunity. Large roofs may provide space for photovoltaic installations capable of contributing electricity to terminal operations and other airport facilities.
Roof surfaces can also form part of rainwater-management systems. Collected water may potentially support landscaping, cleaning or other suitable non-potable applications, depending on local regulations and treatment requirements.
Green-roof concepts can provide additional possibilities in appropriate locations, including insulation and stormwater management. Airports must, however, carefully consider wildlife hazards because vegetation that attracts birds could create aviation safety problems.
Even reflective roofing materials can contribute by reducing heat absorption and lowering cooling demands.
Sustainable airport infrastructure isn’t always about constructing something new. Sometimes it begins by looking differently at infrastructure that already exists—including the enormous spaces sitting directly above our heads.
