Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2011 | Page 13

and increase the air connectivity of Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.
Regarding the third factor, Kasarda
notes: “Expanded air routes will serve as
the primary engine that drives future commercial development by improving the accessibility of Aviapolis’ tenants and users
to their suppliers, customers, and enterprise
partners around the globe.”
In his work, Kasarda argues that Aerotropolis development and sustainable smart
growth should go hand-in-hand. He feels
that the Finns are on the right track with
their version of an Aerotropolis:
“I believe that Aviapolis nicely represents ’smart’ growth in that it is economically efficient, attractive, and environmentally sustainable.”
Likewise, Amsterdam Schiphol and
New Songdo City (which is being developed near South Korea’s Incheon International Airport) fit the bill. The professor is
quick to challenge the notion that aviation
and airports are losing their power and appeal in these carbon-conscious times:
“Contrary to conventional wisdom, air
transport contributes only 2 % of the world’s
CO2 emissions,” he counters, pointing out
that aircraft manufacturers and airlines have

made a “powerful commitment” to lower
that percentage further in the decades ahead.
The emissions should come down through
improvements in aircraft design, more fuel efficient engines, and the use of biofuels.
“Advances in avionics and next genervances
ation air traffic control systems are expected
to lower aircraft carbon emissions, as well.”

The Art of First Impression
Helsinki is the World Design Capital 2012
and Vantaa is one of its partners in the venture – therefore, it is very much the desire
of the Finns to grab the attention of the international visitors the moment they land.
The aesthetic side is quite relevant in the
Aerotropolis model as well:
“Aesthetics and design of the airport
and its surrounding areas are becoming increasingly important in projecting a favorable image of the broader region,” Kasarda says, noting that airports and their nearby areas often establish the “first and last
impressions” of the region on their visitors.
“Visual impacts can shape longer-term
decisions of these travelers to work, live,
invest in, or make return visits to the Helsinki area.”

Off the Ground
While discussing hub ideology and multile
modality – which are strong trends in Finland right now – Kasarda points out that
all airports are actually multimodal in one
way or another, since people and goods arrive and depart from them by surface transport. According to Kasarda, the quality and
convenience of surface transport connections often shapes the value of the airport
to its region.
“We have learned, for example, that
the battle for air cargo is frequently won
on the ground and not in the air, with the
time and cost of moving goods to and from
the airport being critical to business profitability.”
He goes on to add that, similarly, wellconnected highways and rail lines that move
passengers to and from the airport quickly
and conveniently make for more satisfied
travelers – and enhance the efficiency of
outlying cities they serve at the same time.
“Sea transport links are less important,
since sea-air intermodal transfers tend to be
relatively small in volume. Yet, multimodal
hub status will become an increasingly imome
portant Aerotropolis asset in the future.” b

Eye on Elevation: John D. Kasarda
ohn D. Kasarda is the Kenan Distinguished Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Direcn
tor of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler
Business School. Dr. Kasarda also heads the Institute’s Center for Air Commerce.
Dr. Kasarda is considered the leading developer of the Aerotropolis concept which defines the roles
of aviation and airports in shaping 21st century business location and urban growth. He has published
more than 100 articles and nine books on airport cities, aviation infrastructure, economic development,
and competitiveness. His latest book titled Aerotropolis: The Way We’ll Live Next (co-authored with
Greg Lindsay) will be published in March 2011. b

J

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