The Singapore Changi Airport might be one of the busiest transit hubs in the world, but soon it will be the greenest, literally. A proposal to build an urban park into its infrastructure has just been approved. Dubbed Forest Valley, this gorgeous glass dome essentially brings a huge botanical garden to the Singapore Changi Airport, which is utterly refreshing for weary travelers.
Designed by Moshe Safdie, the Singapore Changi Airport's latest extension goes hand-in-hand with the idea that such facilities are destinations in and of themselves. The designer states, "The modern mall is as far as I'm concerned, a pretty horrible place. It's all about merchandising, indoor, and sealed. But you could add this component of an escape of nature. Normally in cities we did that in traditional parks. But in the densities we're getting to in some of these cities, there isn't the space for it."
Urban Park Airports
The Singapore Changi Airport to Offer Greenery and Fresh Air for Travelers
Trend Themes
1. Green Airport Spaces - Airports around the world are looking to build green spaces for travelers, creating opportunities to introduce biophilic design in infrastructure development.
2. Destination Airports - As airports become more than just transit hubs, there is an opportunity to create unique and memorable experiences for travelers, transforming them into destinations unto themselves.
3. Biophilic Urban Design - The incorporation of sustainable green spaces in dense urban environments is becoming increasingly important, as people seek to reconnect with nature and improve their mental and physical wellbeing.
Industry Implications
1. Airport Infrastructure - As airports compete to offer unique experiences for travelers beyond the traditional form of transportation, there is an opportunity for innovative infrastructure development to create green and biophilic spaces.
2. Landscape Architecture - The design and creation of airport green spaces poses a demand for landscape architects to create innovative installations that work within the restrictions of airport functionality while still providing a visually stunning experience.
3. Urban Planning - The integration of green and biophilic spaces in dense urban planning is becoming increasingly important, and airport design offers an opportunity to incorporate these spaces in innovative ways.