Best Architectural Thesis Awardee - A Proposed Sangley International Airport with an Integrated Multi-modal Transportation Hub

Thesis Title: Marahuyo - A Proposed Sangley International Airport with an Integrated Multi-modal Transportation Hub

Proponents: Jim Homer Ardinel; Ricky Malicdem Jr.; Alyssa Marie Rockwell; Ron Cale Yu

Thesis Adviser:  Ar. JV Lagman

School:  University of the East - Caloocan

Year of Defense: 2024 (Best Architectural Thesis - 3rd placer)

Synopsis:

The Philippines' main gateway has been experiencing criticisms from all around the world regarding its amenities, services, and functionality, making it one of the worst airports internationally. Since this is one of the biggest contributors of indirect tax revenue that helps the economic development of the Philippines, this sector must be given focus. To gather information on how to achieve a more flexible, functional, and effective international airport, different foreign studies and literature were reviewed, focusing on sustainability, security, and innovations in airport design.

One of the other reasons why the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was dubbed as one of the worst airports in the world is the heavy traffic that surrounds it when accessing and leaving the premises. Since NAIA is the only international airport in Metro Manila and also the primary option for the southern part of Luzon, heavy traffic can no longer be avoided even through road widening projects because many establishments surrounding the airport, such as hotels, commercial buildings, and government facilities, would be greatly affected. This condition also makes it impossible for the airport to construct another runway. Single-airport systems often experience failure due to increasing demand and economic growth, which is directly similar to the current status of NAIA in the Philippines. Hence, building a new runway for the said airport would be difficult, and one of the most viable solutions is the application of a Multi-Airport System (MAS), which would greatly ease congestion at NAIA through the addition of other international airports such as the New Manila International Airport and the Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA).

Additionally, in order to avoid the possibility of experiencing the same land traffic problems encountered by NAIA, the application of multimodal transportation systems is critical to the Sangley Point International Airport project. Besides buses, PUJs, PUVs, taxis, and other land transportation modes, a direct railway connection and a ferry terminal would be ideal components of the airport. The possibility of a Cavite–Metro Manila ferry connection further strengthens the feasibility of incorporating a ferry terminal within the project. Likewise, the possibility of a railway connection to Sangley would reduce traffic congestion and make the airport more accessible to passengers by providing a direct and efficient mode of transportation.

The conversion of single-airport systems into multi-airport systems provides opportunities for greater economic growth and a more organized aviation network. The growing demand for air travel in metropolitan areas has demonstrated the need for additional airports that can accommodate increasing passenger volumes while reducing congestion in existing facilities. The concept of a multi-airport system aims to improve the efficiency of air transportation by distributing passenger demand among several airports. However, such a system requires careful planning and analysis to ensure that airports within the same metropolitan region function as a unified network rather than competing with one another.

As multi-airport systems are introduced, the environmental impact of these large-scale developments must also be considered. Sustainability has become one of the most important aspects of modern airport planning and development. Studies on airport sustainability have shown that the implementation of sustainable practices is often limited by unclear guidelines regarding the scope of responsibility among airport stakeholders. This affects the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions generated by terminal buildings, airport operations, and transportation systems. Therefore, it is important to clearly define stakeholder responsibilities and establish sustainability measures that ensure all airport facilities and developments comply with environmental standards.

Most crucially, without sufficient funding, the realization of the Sangley Point International Airport would not be possible. Large-scale infrastructure projects require substantial financial investment and support from both public and private sectors. The proposed investment for SPIA demonstrates the potential benefits of public-private partnerships in airport development. Aside from improving air travel in the Philippines, such partnerships can significantly contribute to the country's economic development by attracting foreign investors, creating employment opportunities, and enhancing the nation's competitiveness in the global market.

To provide additional sustainable features to airport development, the integration of different public transportation systems should be taken into consideration. Public transportation enables passengers to have multiple travel options while reducing carbon emissions. Incorporating railway systems with airport operations creates new opportunities for transportation planning and accessibility. However, it is important to study the effects of such integration on people, the environment, and operational capacity in order to fully assess its advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, effective intermodal collaboration must be achieved to minimize competition between transportation modes and maximize the efficiency of the overall transportation network.

The incorporation of more transportation systems within a single development also means accommodating a greater number of passengers. Consequently, airports become more vulnerable to security-related challenges. To enhance the safety of both staff and passengers, innovative security systems should be integrated into airport operations. One possible innovation is the application of biometric technology in the check-in process to improve airport security and operational efficiency. However, since biometric systems require the collection of highly sensitive personal information, passenger acceptance and privacy concerns must be carefully evaluated through surveys and statistical analysis.

Security should not only focus on passengers but also on their belongings, including packages, hand-carried items, and luggage. Modern baggage handling systems utilizing RFID and IoT technologies offer a more reliable, efficient, and accurate approach to luggage tracking. Through real-time monitoring from check-in to baggage claim, these technologies can significantly reduce baggage loss, improve passenger convenience, and streamline airport operations. In addition, efficient baggage tracking systems can help minimize delays, which have long been among the major operational challenges experienced by NAIA.

With the information gathered, the capability of designing a new, functional, and flexible airport equipped with sustainable features and innovative security systems can be attained. The proposed Sangley Point International Airport seeks to address some of the underlying problems currently experienced by NAIA through the application of a Multi-Airport System, multimodal transportation integration, sustainable planning strategies, and advanced security technologies. While some challenges may still require large-scale government intervention and policy reforms, effective coordination among stakeholders, government agencies, private investors, and the public can contribute to the successful realization of a world-class international airport. Through these efforts, the project aims to enhance the Philippine aviation industry, improve passenger experience, support economic growth, and establish a more sustainable and efficient transportation system for future generations.