Norway Is Planning An Entire Sustainable City At Oslo Airport

Oslo Airport has a clear goal to set a new standard in sustainable aviation. Last year, they launched a new green terminal that received the world’s first certification. Now, they’re looking to build an entire city around the airport with the help of Norwegian architects.

The Nordic architecture firm helped design the current terminal that opened up last April and they’ll be part of the new Oslo Airport City. Back then, they only had a goal to cut back 50 percent of the airport’s energy use. That upgraded to receiving an “excellent” rating from BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).

In order to receive that certification, the building was made out of natural wood and stone from forests that were properly maintained. They strategically put windows throughout the terminal to maximize daylight use. Adding more outdoor views also gives travelers a glimpse of the area surrounding them.

Now, travelers visiting Oslo Airport will be able to experience the development of a sustainable city. Aiming to produce more energy than it consumes, the city will stretch out to nearly 1,000 acres. It will essentially be a prototype of a future city run on renewable power and driverless public transportation.

Oslo Airport City will be complete with a public park, recreational facilities, event centers, restaurants, offices, hotels, and more. They expect to add thousands of jobs throughout development; currently holding nearly 23,000 employees and contractors, that amount is expected to nearly double by 2050.

"This is a unique opportunity to design a new city from scratch," Tomas Stokke, director of Haptic Architects, told Dezeen. "Using robust city planning strategies such as walkability, appropriate densities, active frontages and a car-free city centre, combined with the latest developments in technology, we will be able to create a green, sustainable city of the future."

Public transportation, deicing planes, and the city’s lighting will be automated through renewable energy. They plan to generate an excess amount and will sell it to surrounding buildings. In doing this, they bill themselves as the “first energy positive airport city.”

For those excited to see the new Oslo Airport City, it’ll take a while to fulfill those dreams. The project isn’t expected to be completed until 30 years from now. However, the first phase of construction begins in 2019, and the airport expects to have their first fleet of electric airplanes in the sky in the next seven years.