Aviation

Airports are looking to become fully electric to mitigate their environmental impact.

As airports look for ways to reduce the use of fossil fuels, they can focus on minimizing the carbon impact of airports by electrifying operations. Complete electrification requires airports to work with tenants — particularly food vendors — to help them transition to electric options.

Airport design will leverage local communities to become more diverse.

The gradual but progressive awakening of diversity strategies in the airport industry moves beyond meeting hiring quotas toward a robust community-centered recruitment approach. Airport design and construction can leverage mentorship protégé programs and internships to support the community that surrounds the airport to develop and learn new skill sets, in turn creating spaces in airports that are more inclusive and diverse.

Prefab and modular design are on the cusp of becoming mainstream in airport design.

Borrowing techniques from industries such as hospitality and residential, airports can use prefabrication to construct standard components in airports such as retail space, lounge areas, and bathroom facilities. Modular design techniques improve efficiency and quality control while reducing costs and carbon emissions.