DomusAir ON: Airports as models of technological incubation and urban development

Bergamo, 19th October 2023 – Milan Bergamo Airport (SACBO) recently hosted the inaugural DomusAir ON event. The conference, with scientific coordination from the Oneworks Foundation, was dedicated to exploring the future of infrastructure planning, urban development, and their interrelationships, inviting a myriad of professionals ranging from technicians and public administrators to thought leaders.

In today’s rapidly evolving technological age, with cities becoming more interconnected and many regions undergoing regeneration and reconstruction, urban development is facing increasing complexities. It’s within this context that “AIRPORTS INSPIRE CITIES” was created. Walter Mariotti, Editorial Director of Domus and DomusAir, moderated the discussion. The focus was on how airports are transitioning from mere technological incubators to exemplary models for urban development. The discussion revolved around new design technologies, Advanced Air Mobility around drones and vertiports, sustainability, and intelligent data management.

Airports, once considered “non-places,” have now become pivotal hubs for reflection, observation, and envisioning future urban prototypes. These hubs promote synergy between the physical and digital worlds, acting as service centers closely tied to their local territories and spearheading innovation and lifestyle technologies.

A primary focus of the conference was environmental sustainability. Despite popular belief, the aviation industry, which globally accounts for around 2% of CO2 production (source: ICCT), is at the forefront of advanced research and experimentation. Representatives from SACBO SpA, the company managing Milan Bergamo Airport, highlighted their holistic approach to sustainability. This includes transitioning towards electric power sources, using next-gen aircraft for 34% of flights, which results in a noise reduction of 40-42% and CO2 reduction of 18-19%, and implementing multimodal infrastructure such as train stations, cycling paths, electric charging points for buses and cars, and solar panels. Experts emphasized the advantages of BIM design in optimizing airport infrastructure maintenance, essential for emissions containment. Another key development is the adoption of the A-CDM (Airport Collaborative decision-making) platform, allowing real-time monitoring of aircraft data and cutting taxiing times by up to 15%, thus saving fuel and reducing emissions.

Giovanni Sanga, SACBO’s President, proudly stated in his opening speech, “The positive feedback from ACI World’s periodic surveys recognizes both our investment of over 200 million in infrastructure to cater to passenger traffic needs and the dedication and professionalism of the airport staff.”

Emilio Bellingardi, Managing Director of SACBO, added, “Our relentless pursuit of new measures and technologies, as well as our continuous investments and planning during the pandemic, have elevated both our efficiency levels and service quality standards.”

Milan Bergamo Airport’s evolution from a secondary hub to a major efficiency point with international recognition is an inspiration. Cities with vast untapped potentials can look at such models to improve efficiency, capacity, and service quality.

Giorgio Gori, Mayor of Bergamo, testified, “Our city, which wasn’t necessarily considered European, has transformed immensely. The increase in tourism, with a 65% growth in 2023 and 70% of tourists being foreigners, has brought immense wealth, relationships, and exchanges to our region.”

Pierluigi di Palma, President of ENAC, commented, “This initiative by DomusAir shines a light on crucial topics. Anticipating traffic growth and aligning our industrial and financial system is critical.”

Wrapping up the conference, Giulio De Carli, President of the Oneworks Foundation, Managing Partner of Oneworks and Scientific Director of DomusAir, concluded, “All the interventions confirmed that aviation is undoubtedly one of the industries most affected by current challenges, with airports today being incubators for solutions related to sustainability, advanced technologies, social aspects, and quality of life.”

We extend our deepest gratitude to Milan Bergamo Airport for their gracious hosting of this significant event. Their dedication and involvement were instrumental in making it a success. A special acknowledgment goes to all our speakers and, of course, the main sponsor, Intesa Sanpaolo, whose unwavering support provided the foundation for this insightful gathering.

Additionally, we are immensely thankful to all our sponsors, whose collective contributions have been invaluable. Their belief in the importance of discussing urban development and its interplay with technology was palpable. Their partnership not only enriched the event but also highlighted the collaborative spirit of forward-thinking industries and institutions. Thank you for making this a memorable and impactful occasion.