Healthy settings in an airport planning context: Lessons from the Sydney experience

Abstract

Abstract Issue Airports provide infrastructure for an industry situated between economic development and environmental detriment. In Western Sydney, a new international airport is being built in an area of sustained population growth. To proactively address the transformation created by the airport, a research hub in South Western Sydney began in 2015 to prepare a health promotion and protection agenda surrounding the airport. Description The concept of an airport that proactively addresses social determinants of health (equity) was introduced, and has been met with in-principle positive support from aviation-related stakeholders. However, follow through with demonstrated commitment has been limited. An exploration of the policy domain of the Western Sydney airport region was undertaken to identify the organisations involved and the control they exert over key determinants of health (equity) and their interrelationship. The intent was to gauge urban health professionals' ability to influence change within the airport planning and development process. Results The analysis shows that power within airport planning is spread widely vertically and horizontally. Despite having a centralised planning organisation, decision making authority is dispersed across multiple levels of public and private governance within the wider airport region. Organisations are bound by (or defer to) higher level regulatory guidelines or legislation for technical aspects of airport planning. Those with more flexible influence lack incentive to engage with broader public health activities. Lessons Lobbying for better public health outcomes has bypassed the complex planning system within airport development settings. Opportunities exist to influence planning through formal and non-formal structures for specific “wins”. However, thinking outside a health box may provide the biggest opportunity for change yet, as shown by the successful legal blocking of the Heathrow runway expansion by climate change activists. Key messages Airports as major urban infrastructure sit under complex organisational structures both in their development and management. Public health responses need to be more targeted and innovative in advocacy and engagement.