Project Brief

A Large Canadian International Airport commissioned this Landside Optimization Study to evaluate how its landside environment could better support future passenger growth while improving the experience from the moment visitors arrive. Building on the airport’s long-term masterplan, the study examined roadway circulation, parking, curbside operations, pedestrian movement, wayfinding, commercial development opportunities, and the public realm. The outcome was a phased strategy balancing operational efficiency, passenger experience, sustainability, and long-term investment to support the airport’s continued growth.

My Role

I supported the urban design and strategic analysis of the airport landside environment, assessing circulation, passenger movement, parking operations, pedestrian connectivity, curbside activity, and future development opportunities. My work included site analysis, concept development, testing parking and development scenarios, preparing plans, diagrams, and visualizations, and communicating complex design ideas through clear graphics and presentations. The completed study was well received by the client, leading to an invitation for the project team to present the recommendations directly to key airport stakeholders.

Challenges

The project required balancing the competing demands of a busy international airport where operational efficiency, passenger experience, commercial performance, safety, and future expansion all relied on the same constrained landside infrastructure. Recommendations needed to simplify the passenger journey, reduce decision-making and congestion, improve accessibility and wayfinding, respond to Winnipeg’s challenging winter climate, and create opportunities for future revenue generation, while remaining practical, deliverable, and capable of being implemented alongside ongoing airport operations.

Outcome

The final recommendations were well received by the client, leading to an invitation for the project team to present the study directly to airport stakeholders. The study established a clear framework for future investment, helping improve how people arrive, navigate, and move through the airport while balancing operational performance, commercial opportunities, and long-term growth.

Specifications