Global Solution for Local Problems: Atlanta Aerotropolis 2014 AMPO Conference October 23, 2014 Nancey Green Leigh, PhD, FAICP Professor and Associate Dean for Research School of City & Regional Planning/College of Architecture Georgia Institute of Technology

Aerotropolis Concept Kasarda, professor & consultant, recognized for popularizing term: – in addition to traditional aviation services, major airports develop themselves, or can attract to surrounding region, significant non-aeronautical commercial facilities, service and revenues. Spin-off from “megalopolis” – large and densely populated urban area that can include multiple independent administrative districts 2

It’s a Specialized Urban Economy Centered around airport is an urban region connecting workers, suppliers, executives, and goods to global marketplace Occurring organically and strategically across the globe on greenfields and grey/brownfields 3

Example of Air & Surface Connectivity for Manufacturing, Repair, and Training 4

Planning’s Role Greenfield aerotropolis – requires master & regional planning; – major new infrastructure development – Complex and long-range development Denver is closest example in U.S. Hong Kong & Incheon, Korea are important international examples 5

Planning’s Role cont. Greyfield aerotropolis: more complex – vacant & contaminated land, fragmented jurisdictions & ownership, obsolete infrastructure, economic decline, poor urban design… Most U.S. aerotropoli are greyfields, including Atlanta Memphis greyfield aerotropolis notable for its master planning – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and City of Memphis Division of Planning and Development partnership for 2010 HUD Community Challenge Grant to fund the Master Plan Plan. 6

Issues for Planners 1.Stakeholder coordination – Joint planning between jurisdictions and other organizations around the airport. 2.Development and Redevelopment – Prospects for infill redevelopment require substantial coordination and policy. 3.Transit and Transportation – Surface network connectivity essential for business development, time sensitive or high value goods 4.Aesthetic Improvements – Improve pedestrian experience, landscaping, way finding, gateway signage. 7

Regional Planner’s Tools Collaborative approaches Land use inventory Mixed use zoning Economic base Strategic Industry Clusters Transportation Corridors Low carbon development Community/business improvement districts TIF and opportunity zones … 8

9 March 2013 report

Atlanta Airport is in Metro’s “Southern Crescent” 10

Impact of Airport 11

Southern vs Northern Crescent 12

Southern vs Northern Crescent 13

Southern vs Northern Crescent 14

ATL is not a contender? Memphis Greyfield Aerotropolis 15

Memphis Aerotropolis Goals Upgrade surroundings to clustered commercial campuses with logistics, manufacturing, and cargo handling physically separated from business and leisure travelers. Airport area zoning to encourage location of airport oriented firms and industries and address aesthetic and social problems. Plan for additional close-in core logistics space by land banking. Consolidate airport area hotels into cohesive zones with ready access to adjacent entertainment areas and transit. Local governments work together as single entity because Aerotropolis is a single integrated market economy, – prevent companies from playing jurisdictions off one another to detriment of their tax bases and their residents. 16

Memphis Aerotropolis Master Plan Airport City Master Plan: released April 2014 Aligns with HUD’s Livability Principles: – Provide more transportation choices – Promote equitable, affordable housing – Enhance economic competitiveness – Support existing communities – Coordinate policies and leverage investment – Value communities and neighborhoods Project Timeline: 17

Global Solution for Local Problems Negative externalities associated with major airports key reason that adjacent regions & urban economies are neglected greyfields. Focus on developing aerotropolis for competitive global positioning creates major opportunity for greyfield redevelopment. Regional planning and Planner’s Toolbox are essential for realizing strategic development goals. 18