Is Oslo Airport City the Layover of the Future?
Ever had the urge to kill time on a long layover with parachute rides or a dip in a swimming pool with a view of the airport's runway?
Well, with Norway's plans for Airport City in Oslo (OSL), those features will only scratch the surface on ways you can pass the time while traveling. The only catch is the 43-million-square-foot, sustainable city won't be completed for another 30 years.
But, Oslo Airport City (OAC) seems like it might be worth the three decade wait. Haptic Architects and Nordic Office of Architecture recently unveiled their ambitious plans to build the futuristic city entirely from scratch. Running completely on renewable energy sources, the airport-adjacent city's highlights include an activity park with climbing areas, a swimming arena, cycling routes and yes-- even parachute rides over the city, Travel and Leisure reports.
Renderings also show plenty of green spaces and parks available to catch some fresh air in the middle of a bustling business and travel hub. There are designs for a vast lake and a car-free city center, but travelers will never be more than five minutes away from public transportation.
On the high-tech side of the spectrum, the city plans to offer driverless electric cars, auto-lighting, and "smart technology" for handling waste and security. Additionally, a big chunk of real estate (about 11-million-square-feet) will be zoned for mixed use retail space, offices, housing and other cultural and leisure spaces.
At the core of the project is the Norwegian government's push for an economy run only on renewable resources. Part of that push, too, is government-owned Oslo Airport (OSL)'s goal to operate the first fleet of electric aircraft by 2025. The airport city will be a testing ground for new technologies and even plans to sell off surplus renewable energy to neighboring buildings and communities.
Construction of Oslo Airport City is set start sometime in 2019 or 2020, and the first buildings will begin to be completed around 2022.