DESIGN OF AL KAMAREEEA SANA’A INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Thesis Overview

<p> <b>1.1 introduction&nbsp;</b></p><p>Yemen is a third world country in the middle east. The country is surrounded by some of the richest countries in the world, such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, and Qatar, yet Yemen is considered “one of the poorest countries in the world” (“Water Wars in Yemen”). Corruption and war are the main reasons for Yemen’s lack of technological advancement and prosperity. The Descent of country is clear in government facilities and infrastructure. Highways are deteriorating, harbors are closed, and air ports are either closed, barely functioning or destroyed due to war. The capital city, Sana’a, is not in a better condition than the rest of the country. The international airport of the city is old and is not up to the international standards. The Airport is in a strategic location in the outskirts of the city, and occupies a big footprint, yet flights are often delayed or canceled due to over crowdedness or operating at over capacity. The airport does not have the amenities needed for travelers, such as enough bathrooms, coffee-shops, and resting areas etc. the runways are deteriorating, and the terminals are too small and not enough to coupe with the load of travelers, and flights coming to the city of Sana’a.</p><p>&nbsp;The city of Sana’s has over “two million people as residents” (“Yemen Population 2018.”) and receives over a million visitors a year. Majority of the population come to the city from all cities in the country to visit the city or to use the international airport. whether to go overseas to seek better medical attention or to spend their vacations in other countries the Sana’a international airport is their main, and sometimes the only option. Sana’a is an ancient city and is “over three thousand years old” (UNESCO). Many people from around the world come to visit the city for its historical importance and cultural richness. Sana’a international airport can not handle the load of travelers it receives at a daily basis therefor, flights are often delayed or canceled, which causes an inconvenience to travels. Patients get delayed and not get the medical attention they need, businesspeople are late to their affairs and many tourist avoid visiting the city. The project I am proposing will start by conducting a research to determine the most suitable and strategic location for the new airport design.&nbsp;</p><p>The research will include an analysis of how many visitors the airport receives and the potential growth in travelers load. A study of the old airport will be necessary to determine the problems and causes of the failure and how to avoid making the same mistakes with the new design. The city of Sana’a has a unique architectural style and Yemenis are very proud and attached to the Yemeni architecture style. Taking Yemenis taste and culture into consideration, the design of the new airport and the architecture style will match and incorporate the city’s architecture. The design will be technologically advanced in both the structural systems and services offered, at the same time, it will be connected to the city’s ancient architectural style, esthetically. Another aspect of the project I am proposing is the functioning of the airport. Studying and analyzing how airports operate to create a smart design to best serve travelers needs. The layout of the airport and terminal placements, the distant traveled within the airport and runways and parking designs, are essential to creating a successfully functioning airport.&nbsp;</p><p>The design of the new airport will follow the American building code standards, and zoning codes to ensure safety and durability of building systems and structures while accommodating the Yemeni existing codes. The project is mainly architectural, since the focus will be the design of the airport main building, the layout of facilities within the building, and the mechanical systems used. Designing with societal needs in mind, sustainability, and taking into consideration the environmental and social effects the building will have on its surroundings and the city, will make it a valuable addition to the city’s architecture. I except this project that I am proposing to be the airport that the city of Sana’a needs and deserves. An airport that meets the highest building criteria in smart design, energy efficiency, and well-functioning. The Yemeni people are in a dire need for a new airport that will satisfy their needs and create a good experience to both employees and travelers alike. The old airport is now closed and “destroyed due to war” (“Saudi Jets Attack Intl. Airport, Airbase in Sana'a.”) and war is coming to an end. It is time to rebuild and learn from previous mistakes and this proposal is my solution to the problem. To convey a clear and strong proposal, the deliverables of this project will include data charts, historical and cultural analysis, renderings and section cuts, building sections to show the structural systems, a digital walkthrough to show the inside and outside of the airport and how people interact, and a physical model. <br></p><p><b>1.2 Statement of problem&nbsp;</b></p><p>Sana’ is the capital city of Yemen, which is located in the Middle East. Yemen has a population of 29 million inhabitants, two million of which are living in Sana’a. The country is rich in culture, history and natural resources, but it is considered one of the poorest in the world. Multiple factors that brought Yemen to this poor state, are wars, corruption, and deteriorating infrastructure, which hold back economic growth. The country’s infrastructure in general needs to be rebuilt, but the most pressing and urgent one is, Sana’a International Airport. The airport, runways, and support buildings were destroyed in the long-lasting Saudi Arabian aggression against the country, but even before the war, the airport was too small and inefficient to handle the passenger load. With the airport being closed, tens of thousands of Yemenis are stranded outside of the country, unable to return home, except through long and dangerous land travel. Others who need to travel outside of the country to seek medical attention are unable to do so, and many have lost their lives due to inadequate medical care in Yemen.</p><p><b>1.3 Significance of study</b>&nbsp;</p><p>Essentially an airport is a building used for airplanes to load and unload passengers. An airport as a facility is a station that consist of multiple buildings and airfield to house and provide airplanes with a location to occupy. Among the buildings required for an airport are navigation towers and terminals. Navigation towers are used for air traffic control; moreover, the primary purpose of navigation towers is to prevent collision, and provide pilots with the information needed to land or depart from the airport. A terminal is the main building within an airport and is used to transition passengers from outside of the airport to the facilities that provide them with access to the airplanes. It is within the terminal that passengers purchase tickets, check-in their luggage, and proceed through security checks. The section of the airport that provides passengers with access to the airplanes are called concourses. Lisa H. Fitzpatrick argues in her graduate thesis ‘Creating a Sense of Place in the Airport Terminal’ that airports are gateways to the city; they are an important component of a city, in which they can convey and promote the region’s heritage. “They have the ability to create a unique arrival or departure experience that successfully connects the airport to the local region and its community” (Fitzpatrick, Lisa.) The author argues that creating a sense of place in an airport will make travelers feel welcomed to the region as they transition from their flights to the region. The welcoming experience gives them a glimpse of the region historical and cultural heritage. According to professor Richard Florida, co-founder of CityLab, airports are a key to the connective fiber between cities and the rest of the world. Airports are more than a place to catch a plane and travel for vacations; they are becoming a key factor in increasing employment growth. A study by economist Jan Brueckner found a clear relation between passenger growth and regional growth in employment. Brueckner claims that a 10% increase in passengers in any airport promotes a 1% growth in employment in that region. The author argues that airports are reshaping economic development and growth in similar ways that the automobile did in the 20th century. The report By Florida suggests that even though, moving cargo is important to time sensitive companies,&nbsp; who want to distribute their products to the world in a timely mater therefore tend to gravitate towards successful airports; the effect of moving people as opposed to cargo on economy is far greater. The number of flights and passengers have a correspondence to economic wages, output, and income; therefore, more travel-traffic means an increase in economic growth. “Airports play a substantial role on the economic growth and development of cities and regions. In today’s knowledge economy, far and away, the most precious cargo they move is people.” (Richard Florida) <br></p>