Bird meets megacity: China's unique airport
China is currently developing an airport solely for birds, situated along a major migration route. Curious what this will look like? Here are the first designs.
Inviting stopover
The new nature reserve is intended to be constructed in Tianjin, China. The port city lies almost exactly within the "East Asian-Australasian Flyway" - a major migration route for birds. Each year, 50 million migratory birds pass through the area.
Little concrete, lots of green
This is 61 hectares of lush greenery. It's an unusual perspective on an airport, but in this case, doubtlessly fitting. With a little bit of imagination, one can even discern runways for the wanderlusty birds. It must be nice to take a well-deserved stopover here.
Take a break and revitalize
Among other things, three different water habitats are proposed - for example, an island lake with shallow rapids, a reed area, and mud habitats for the birds. Additionally, there will be numerous hideouts for birds and a 20-hectare forest.
Peace and quiet at the terminals
By the way: There will be no duty-free shops or check-ins. Instead, the visitor center of the "Lingang Bird Sanctuary" will be a place of recreation and quiet bird observance.
Hiding in the reeds
The 3,500-square-meter visitor education and research center "Water Pavilion" will be harmoniously situated in the park. With this facility, China wants to promote its reputation as a site for ornithology.
Nice side effect
The blueprints of the "McGregor Coxall" designers also take tourism - or better said, bird and nature lovers - into account. They intend to construct seven kilometers of recreation paths throughout the park. If everything goes according to plan, the park will be completed in 2018.