Mexico introduced a futuristic project for a new airport
Mexico - Mexico has introduced the winning design for a new airport in the capital city, which is expected to have up to four times the passenger capacity of the current airport. The futuristic spider-shaped design by British architect Norman Foster and Mexican Fernando Romero won the competition. The investment in construction is estimated to be 9.2 billion USD.
Minister of Transport and Communications Gerardo Ruiz stated that the winner was chosen by a special committee, and unlike previous controversial designs, authorities will not expropriate land for the construction.
Foster is one of the world’s leading architects, known for designing Terminal 3 for the Beijing airport, London’s Wembley Stadium, and the office building in London’s City known as the Gherkin. Romero is the son-in-law of Mexican telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim. He designed the Museo Soumaya, which houses most of the works from Slim’s personal art collection.
The new airport will cover an area of nearly 4600 hectares, about ten kilometers from the current airport. It will have six runways, a passenger capacity of up to 120 million travelers per year, and is expected to be completed within 50 years. The old airport can handle about 32 million passengers annually and is currently overloaded.
Ruiz added that the construction of the new airport should begin in 2015. President Enrique Peña Nieto stated that three runways should be operational by 2020, when the airport is expected to be able to accommodate 52 million passengers per year.
Critics argue that the designated construction sites are not suitable for the new airport. Former Environment Minister José Luege mentioned in an interview with local radio, according to AP, that the area is prone to flooding. However, Ruiz denies that the lands are unsuitable for the airport and added that there are plans for stormwater drainage to prevent potential flooding.
"This airport is the first of its kind in the world," said Foster. "It has no conventional roof. It has no vertical walls. It has no columns in the usual sense." The airy, lightweight terminal is shaped like a giant letter X. According to Foster, the airport will feature spacious halls that can be used for art exhibitions.
Minister of Transport and Communications Gerardo Ruiz stated that the winner was chosen by a special committee, and unlike previous controversial designs, authorities will not expropriate land for the construction.
Foster is one of the world’s leading architects, known for designing Terminal 3 for the Beijing airport, London’s Wembley Stadium, and the office building in London’s City known as the Gherkin. Romero is the son-in-law of Mexican telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim. He designed the Museo Soumaya, which houses most of the works from Slim’s personal art collection.
The new airport will cover an area of nearly 4600 hectares, about ten kilometers from the current airport. It will have six runways, a passenger capacity of up to 120 million travelers per year, and is expected to be completed within 50 years. The old airport can handle about 32 million passengers annually and is currently overloaded.
Ruiz added that the construction of the new airport should begin in 2015. President Enrique Peña Nieto stated that three runways should be operational by 2020, when the airport is expected to be able to accommodate 52 million passengers per year.
Critics argue that the designated construction sites are not suitable for the new airport. Former Environment Minister José Luege mentioned in an interview with local radio, according to AP, that the area is prone to flooding. However, Ruiz denies that the lands are unsuitable for the airport and added that there are plans for stormwater drainage to prevent potential flooding.
"This airport is the first of its kind in the world," said Foster. "It has no conventional roof. It has no vertical walls. It has no columns in the usual sense." The airy, lightweight terminal is shaped like a giant letter X. According to Foster, the airport will feature spacious halls that can be used for art exhibitions.
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