Question

How does the idea of a ‘social license to operate’ impact an airport? ?

Answer 1

Impact of ‘social license to operate impact on airports’

A social license has been defined as a situation in which a proposed or ongoing project has been accepted by the local community and other stakeholders, which leads to an ongoing approval and acceptance of a society.

A social approval and acceptance is based on the perceptions and opinions held by the stakeholders and society considering the potential and ongoing benefits of the project. The acceptance of the project could be perceived from the response of the society considering the developments that the project could bring in the society.

The social license which was intangible in nature could be measured these days using a survey instrument “Social license”. The survey instrument consists of indicators to measure the social license at times of rejection, acceptance, approval and co-ownership.

Here the case of airports is discussed on the basis of ‘social license to operate’. The analysis has been done considering the example of Los Angeles World Airport.

Impact on Infrastructure

As a result of incorporating ‘social license to operate’, the airport would permit up to 2.32 million square feet of development. Previously in 1984 it was originally planned for a 4.5 million square feet.

The new objectives of the LAX (IATA code for Los Angeles Airport) are

Identify and introduce new uses for the land that are compatible with the LAX and create protection and safeguard measures for the community as a whole.

Develop land that reflects stakeholder interests

Update regulations that are more than 25 years

The benefits of these new objectives based on ‘social license to operate’ is that there would be better community support and approval from FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) which the previous plan of 1980s lacked.

Balancing the needs of Airport-stakeholders

As a result of “social license to operate policy” a sustainable environmental standards have been developed in design, construction, operations and landscaping. It will lead to using the properties and other assets to the best potential, ultimately realizing their value. Further, these developments would act as a catalyst promoting developments in the neighborhood places.

It will also improve airport traffic management which utilizes the best engineering techniques.

Better community Outreach

“Social license to operate” had a positive impact on the community. There were hundreds of community outreach meetings held. These meetings and workshops focused on creating a more open space, a stronger community buffer with minimal environmental impacts as priorities.

Developmental plans

Many developmental opportunities were identified in the premises of airport like creating open space for recreation activities with a soccer and fitness sites, creating a green buffer in the premises, development of research and development activities, learning campuses, community villages, golf areas etc.

Orientation and access

In 2012, Orientation and access area was modified compared to the previous 1989 plan. It paved way to the creation of multiple counters and reducing the crowd in the counters.

Vehicle traffic and pedestrian paths were better managed with multiple pathways and vehicle entry points for parking, which reduced crowd and easy parking in the airport.

Sustainable project design

Sustainable design included paseo for new recreation and pedestrian areas, secured buffer with native landscaping, sustainable features like bio swales, transportation demand management program. In order to ensure a clean construction, tier 4 construction equipment were bought, new paseo for jogging and walking were constructed, green roofs were created, energy efficient lighting were introduced.

Further, water conservation facilities were made, drought-tolerant landscaping was created, facilities to reduce water use by 30 percent was introduced.

Trees like Alepo pine, manna strawberry trees, and many other trees were grown. It made the premises beautiful with shady trees and plants.

Policy for ground support equipment emissions reduction policy

The policy aimed to reduce emissions from ground support equipment. This led to a comprehensive analysis of inventory and equipment at the airport.

These are some of the impacts of “social license to operate” in airports which would create a better social approval for the airports.