Airport as barometer of the city

Photo by S Migol

A cities airport is an expression of what that city is and wants to be:

The aerial view may be a traveler's first glimpse at what the immediate future holds. But it's probably the airport experience on the ground that cements a traveler's first substantial impression of a city and its merits, whether premature or otherwise. That experience -- the flow, sense of efficiency, and all the small details enabled by the airport's architecture -- can be viewed as an expression of what the city stands for, or what it aspires to be.

For those investigating emerging cities and the development of ecosystems to support the cities' entrepreneurial ambitions, the experience at the airport is almost an initial barometer for things to come.

Most of my negative opinions of many destinations start at the airport.

For me it's not about brilliant architecture, shopping and dining experiences as much as the systems to get me to my destination. Your first experience when arriving in Taipei is a gaggle of sale people trying to sell you duty free - then you are swiftly through immigration to the taxi curb. In Vancouver upon arrival you are greeted by jack booted security who take aside those who fit a profile. As described in the article Hong Kong is by far my favorite.

The Airport as an Expression of a City's Aspirations

Airport as barometer of the city

Photo by S Migol A cities airport is an expression of what that city is and wants to be:

The aerial view may be a traveler's first glimpse at what the immediate future holds. But it's probably the airport experience on the ground that cements a traveler's first substantial impression of a city and its merits, whether premature or otherwise. That experience -- the flow, sense of efficiency, and all the small details enabled by the airport's architecture -- can be viewed as an expression of what the city stands for, or what it aspires to be. For those investigating emerging cities and the development of ecosystems to support the cities' entrepreneurial ambitions, the experience at the airport is almost an initial barometer for things to come.

Most of my negative opinions of many destinations start at the airport. For me it's not about brilliant architecture, shopping and dining experiences as much as the systems to get me to my destination. Your first experience when arriving in Taipei is a gaggle of sale people trying to sell you duty free - then you are swiftly through immigration to the taxi curb. In Vancouver upon arrival you are greeted by jack booted security who take aside those who fit a profile. As described in the article Hong Kong is by far my favorite. The Airport as an Expression of a City's Aspirations