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Assessing spatial development footprint of urban areas surrounding new airport terminal infrastructure

Author

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  • Liu, Jiayu
  • Kong, Ningning Nicole
  • Gao, Yi

Abstract

This study employs a Difference-in-Differences (DiD) to measure the land use change after a new airport terminal was being built. By comparing land use changes around airports with newly constructed terminals to those around airports without terminal expansion, the study isolates the effects of terminal developments on urban growth and land transformation. Land use data from the United States National Land Cover Database (NLCD) was analyzed across two treatment periods (2011 and 2016) to evaluate shifts in different land use categories such as developed, agricultural, and natural land. Findings indicate that new terminals construction is usually accompanied by accelerating urbanization, with high-intensity developments expanding at the expense of natural and agricultural lands. An exception appears in the 2011 treatment cohort, where agricultural land increasing stands out, likely reflecting concurrent regional conservation and restoration initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Jiayu & Kong, Ningning Nicole & Gao, Yi, 2026. "Assessing spatial development footprint of urban areas surrounding new airport terminal infrastructure," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaitra:v:132:y:2026:i:c:s0969699725002200
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102957
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    References listed on IDEAS

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