In the redrafting of the Malpensa Master Plan we launched a cogent public consultation plan to involve the main stakeholders. The goal we set ourselves was to adopt structured dialogues with the actors in the region to understand how we could complement and not conflict with their demands for developing airport traffic.
The approach we adopted was based on 4 methodological parameters, deemed essential for an effective and constructive interaction:
- maximum transparency, clarity and information about the project;
- SEA’s proactivity in implementing the dialogue and the discussion processes;
- a highly inclusive process with the various interested stakeholders;
- major separation between the dialogue/discussion process on the preliminary content of the Master Plan and donations in the region by SEA.
Stakeholders’ involvement to date focused on the 2030 Master Plan Guidelines issued by SEA in autumn 2015. Discussions took place between the end of 2015 and April 2017 and were based on design hypotheses, but not on the final technical project. This decision was based on the intention to anticipate the latest regulatory provisions and to apply best international experience within an airport context.
We anticipated two regulatory provisions in particular:
- Directive 2014/52/EU regarding environmental impact assessments (transposal obligation into Member State legislation by May 2017) which implies early-stage public participation in the project’s decision-making process, online access to information, consultations with the target audience of not less than 30 days, and careful consideration of their relevance to health impacts.
- Directive 2014/24/EU regarding public work tenders (Transposed under Legislative Decree number 50/2016 "Code of Tenders") which requires a "Public Debate" for major infrastructural works impacting the environment and region.
Principal Stakeholder engagement activities carried out on the Master Plan Guidelines
| Channel | Instrument | Activity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disclosure | Digital | Guidelines Booklet | Uploaded to the platform |
| Analogue | Guidelines Booklet | Paper distribution | |
| Digital | Illustrated technical presentations in the workshops | Uploaded to the platform | |
| Digital | Public meeting video | Uploaded to the platform | |
| Dialogue | Digital | Creation of an “open” Platform accessible by registration | Document repository |
| Digital | Creation of a Guidelines Booklet in a digital version with comments allowed | Creation of a dedicated section on the platform | |
| Digital | Video of the technical workshop with comments allowed | Uploaded to the platform | |
| Meeting | Analogue | Scheduled technical Workshops | Opening (09-11-2015) Technical analysis of airside traffic and works (10-12-2015) Socio-economic impact of the airport (07-04-2016) Environmental studies methodology (12-05-2016) In-depth study of water impacts (02-12-2-16) Closing (20-04-2017) |
| Analogue | Public meetings in the Municipalities | Meeting at Lonate Pozzolo Meeting at Ferno Meeting at Arsago Seprio Meeting at Golasecca Meeting at Somma Lombardo |
|
| Analogue | Technical closed-door meetings | Sesto Calende Coordination Committee COR2: (Municipalities of Azzate, Daverio, Cazzago Brabbia, Inarzo, Mornago, Sumirago, Vergiate) North Milan Industrial Associations Novara Industrial Associations Ticino Lombardo park |
Source: SEA
Main points highlighted by the stakeholders in the preliminary discussions
We outline below several points of interest regarding the environment that emerged from preliminary discussions with the stakeholders, and the related points of view stated by SEA.
The progress made on the topics raised and the related initiatives we will undertake are subject to the outcomes of the environmental impact studies currently being drafted.
| OBSERVATION CONTENT | SEA FEEDBACK |
|---|---|
| Health Impact Assessment (HIA) study investigations | This is an activity to be carried out contemporaneously with the ordinary management of airport operations. The activities planned for Malpensa will continue as current activities, and can be used, along with other instruments, by competent authorities to monitor the health conditions of the population in the territory surrounding the airport while traffic volumes progressively increase. |
| Verification of compliance with the D’Alema Decree | A report highlighting the actions carried out in compliance with the decree is being prepared. |
| Assessment for the limitation of cargo night flights | It is essential to assess this issue by involving competent management roles able to provide specific input for the development of the Master Plan. |
| Assessment of alternative solutions for the expansion of the cargo area | A feasibility study is being carried out into the implications of 6 alternative solutions, as well as into the ‘zero’, or ‘do nothing’, hypothesis. |
| Study into the impact of airport development on the water footprint | Development issues on which the new Master Plan is focused, including cargo warehouses, aircraft parking areas, roadways and parking, do not constitute elements that significantly affect water consumption. The new airport Master Plan will provide guidelines for saving and reusing water resources to apply in the definition phases of individual projects. |
| Acoustic emissions connected to the increase in traffic | For residents with greater exposure to noise pollution, soundproofing hypotheses are being studied in reference to the current regulatory framework. Particularly innovative solutions are also being examined, such as the NICNES project regarding receptors for the acoustic insulation of school buildings. |
| Analysis of acoustic and atmospheric emissions connected to vehicular traffic | This is an issue that will be assessed as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). All the technical characteristics of the current and final configuration of the airport will be shared with the appointed experts in environmental analyses, with particular consideration given to the common reference between the Master Plan and the EIS in terms of traffic, aircraft type, airport procedures, etc. |
| Land consumption | In comparison to the approximately 430 ha of external area acquisition envisaged under the old plan, the current site expansion hypothesis would require considerably less (approximately 5% of the current area), sufficient to meet the expansion requirements of the cargo area alone, expected over the next 15 years. |
| Landscaping impact of the new planned works | Various landscaping and green-scaping hypotheses are being studied, including the potential requalification of the wooded areas adjacent to the new cargo area to the south. |
| Reduction of the grassland | Interventions are being studied with the aim of reconstituting the grasslands of Malpensa and Lonate. |
| Guarantee of water flow to the wetlands of the Ticino Park | A collaboration with the Ticino Park is being studied in relation to a project to control meteoric events of exceptional intensity, by the recycling and the transfer to wetlands south of the airport of excess meteoric water from the airport. |
| Planting | The planting of trees is being studied with great attention paid to airport safety issues (e.g. bird strikes). |
Source: SEA