Where to locate an airport...?

[lhrob 213]

Just a couple of questions about airports. Where are the best places to locate them? Near industry, commercial, residential? And how far away should they be - do they have a NIMBY effect?

[EG0611 57]

This is my idea ;

I prefer to put them near commercial areas because airport brings customers ( yea I know someone is coming with airplane to eat fast food ) and far away from residental zones (because sound of airplane).

[Indiana Joe 1,750]

They provide a commercial boost no matter where you put them in your city, but they do produce air pollution (and noise pollution) so it's best to keep them out of the way of nice residential and commercial areas.

[Cottoncandy Cyanide 145]

They provide a great commerce boost as Indiana Joe said, but, try to keep the airport away from the residential areas OR the commerce area. The planes produce a lot of noise and air pollution which will result in population decline if you placed it near high wealth zones.

[lhrob 213]

So what about locating it near an agricultural area? And how large should the buffer zone be between the airport and any other commercial or residential areas?

[Cottoncandy Cyanide 145]

In my opinion, placing it in agriculture zones seems a little odd. For placement, I say an undeveloped corner of your city. By undeveloped, I mean practically no residents or commerce at all.

[lhrob 213]

It may be a little odd, but would it actually have a negative effect on the agricultural zones?

[Cottoncandy Cyanide 145]

Beats me to be honest. Never really tried that. However, I predict the agriculture people enjoy quiet lives so it will probably make them move far away.

[Indiana Joe 1,750]

It probably wouldn't bother them too much. Also placing an airport out there means less demolishing of more important buildings.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Generally, I build airports on vacant land just nicely out of town. It is a commercial attractant and cap lifter, so I usually lay down commercial buildings along the sides. You have to be careful to have only low rise (single occupancy) lots at the ends of the runways, however.

You only have to look at the history of a major airport to see what happens. The town of Malton, Ontario sort of grew up around Pearson International, then complained bitterly about the noise. Aircraft are required to make a "noise abatement" turn immediately after takeoff from some runways there. There are all kinds of airport related industries on top of the airport.

Residential pods are a natural on the flanks of such a commercial set up.

[Superbacon 380]

Depending on where my city is located, I'll build a man-made island, throw some seawalls around it, and plop an airport on it a good distance from the coastline. Then connect it by bridge.

If it's land-locked then I'll put it up on some vacant land outside town. If the city expands up to it, then I'll build industry around it or some low-density commerce.

[lhrob 213]

Putting it on an island...that's a good idea. I may do that.

So, I think I get the general idea: Isolate it if possible. If not, then try to keep surrounding buildings limited to low-density industrial (possibly agricultural) or commercial zones.

Thanks everyone for all the tips.

Generally, I build airports on vacant land just nicely out of town. It is a commercial attractant and cap lifter, so I usually lay down commercial buildings along the sides. You have to be careful to have only low rise (single occupancy) lots at the ends of the runways, however.

You only have to look at the history of a major airport to see what happens. The town of Malton, Ontario sort of grew up around Pearson International, then complained bitterly about the noise. Aircraft are required to make a "noise abatement" turn immediately after takeoff from some runways there. There are all kinds of airport related industries on top of the airport.

Residential pods are a natural on the flanks of such a commercial set up.

I think it's wrong for people to move to the vicinity of an airport, or under a flight path, and then complain about the noise. I grew up on the west side of Cincinnati in an area which is directly across the river from CVG (the Cincinnati international airport - which, ironically, is not located in Ohio) and during the 70s and 80s there were a lot of new housing developments that went up directly under the north/south flight path. The airport was literally 4 miles to the south. People then complained about the noise! I thought to myself "The airport has been there since the 1940s...it's your own stupid fault for moving to a place right under the flight paths".

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

<snip>

I think it's wrong for people to move to the vicinity of an airport, or under a flight path, and then complain about the noise. I grew up on the west side of Cincinnati in an area which is directly across the river from CVG (the Cincinnati international airport - which, ironically, is not located in Ohio) and during the 70s and 80s there were a lot of new housing developments that went up directly under the north/south flight path. The airport was literally 4 miles to the south. People then complained about the noise! I thought to myself "The airport has been there since the 1940s...it's your own stupid fault for moving to a place right under the flight paths".

But that's the way of the world, my friend. I build my airport pods accordingly, keeping the Malton model in mind. The same thing happened at Trudeau International at Dorval (Montreal). It seems to be inevitable. The people who make the noise complaints are usually not the original owners of the houses, but subsequent buyers. After all, if you are the original builder, you can hardly complain about it.

[lhrob 213]

The people who make the noise complaints are usually not the original owners of the houses, but subsequent buyers. After all, if you are the original builder, you can hardly complain about it.

Exactly.

[rbscott23 8]

Near Low Industry or Low Residential...its always okay to put near Agriculture zones...

[Cob92 360]

Usually near the edge of the city. If there is no open, vacant area, I put it near industry or low-weath neighborhoods.

[AcmeSigns 97]

I caught heat for this (and bear in mind I was married to a half-deaf woman at the time with a deaf child so it isn't with malice or any form of discrimination) but I once suggested that all housing near airports be sold to deaf people. Seemed like a simple solution to me.

[Jim14409 448]

I place airports away from the city center and provide good transportation links to the downtown. Don't forget the crime aspect because it is high around airports. When I put a street or road all the way around the airport and provide plenty of police protection and parks, I have had good results with medium density commercial and residential very close to the airport. I don't recall polution being a problem.