Mapping and Managing essential resource flows in airport regions - the case of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Abstract

Metropolitan airports are focal points of large amounts of essential resource flows, such as energy, materials, water and food. These flows are predominantly linear, whilst externalising both the negative and positive impacts associated with them. Moreover, qualitative and quantitative understanding regarding the throughput of these flows is usually incomplete and the related data fragmented i.e. distributed over multiple actors within the system that comprises the airport. To a significant extent these airports can thus be considered black boxes. The aim of this paper is to provide a methodology for analysing and mapping several essential resource flows with their infrastructures, whilst detecting potential for closed and connected cycles. The proposed methodology is part of an integrated effort, addressing technical, spatial and organisational aspects, to secure smart and sustainable development. The case study is the region of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The essential resource flows under scrutiny are: energy, plastic packaging materials, wastewater, food and waste. By unravelling supply & demand patterns of the studied resource flows and their infrastructures on the one hand, and local characteristics on the other, potential improvements came to the surface regarding sustainable flow management and regional integration. Limitations of the methodology are characterised by two factors in particular: complex system dynamics and data quality.