Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 40.
Airport cities are a new and innovative urban model where airports are integrated with surrounding commercial, residential, and recreational areas. (I) This model combines modern infrastructure with urban development, transforming airports from mere transportation hubs into centers of business, leisure, and culture. (II) In the past, airports were built far from cities to avoid noise and traffic congestion. (III) However, as airports have become essential to urban growth, they now drive both economic and social development. (IV)
An airport city is designed to provide a wide range of services, including office spaces, hotels, shopping malls, entertainment venues, and even parks. These developments make airports more than just places to catch flights; they become destinations in themselves. For example, Songdo in South Korea was built to support Incheon Airport, creating a smart, sustainable city that works in harmony with the airport and its surroundings.
Many airport cities around the world have seen great success. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, for instance, is not only a major air travel hub but also a large shopping center, attracting visitors even without flights. Similarly, Singapore’s Changi Airport offers more than just travel services - it provides shopping, dining, and entertainment, with attractions like a butterfly garden, making it one of the best airports in the world.
The development of airport cities has proven to be a powerful economic driver. For instance, Vietnam's Long Thanh Airport is being developed with the intention of establishing a comprehensive airport city, poised to invigorate the economy of the southern region. This project will generate thousands of jobs, create new housing developments, and promote local businesses, all while enhancing the region’s global connectivity.
Overall, the airport city model is becoming increasingly popular, offering significant economic, social, and environmental benefits. As more cities adopt this model, airports will play an even more crucial role in our daily lives, connecting people to the world in innovative and exciting ways. This transformation of airports into vibrant, integrated urban centers marks an important step in the future of urban planning.
