This study aims to propose design plans for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vertiports that respond to the specific urban contexts of various land-use zones, addressing the introduction of UAM as a promising alternative to traffic congestion caused by urbani...
This study aims to propose design plans for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vertiports that respond to the specific urban contexts of various land-use zones, addressing the introduction of UAM as a promising alternative to traffic congestion caused by urbanization. By analyzing prior research and existing regulations regarding UAM vertiports, this study identified key factors for site selection. The site selection process was conducted incrementally for Songdo International City, Incheon—an area expected to see a significant surge in UAM demand. Following the identification of initial candidate sites, a step-by-step evaluation based on site selection criteria was performed to finalize three target sites representing residential, commercial, and industrial zones, respectively. For the selected sites, spatial configurations and programs were established based on the urban structure and usage characteristics of each land-use zone. In the residential zone, reflecting its proximity to green axes, a community-linked vertiport was planned. This model integrates resident-friendly programs such as libraries and healthcare facilities to support daily pedestrian flow and leisure. In the commercial zone, considering the high-density environment near transit centers and arterial roads, an urban mixed-use vertiport was designed to accommodate transit and stay for floating populations, incorporating F&B, retail, cultural facilities, and business meeting spaces. In the industrial zone, accounting for the business and logistics activities of industrial complexes, an industry-logistics linked vertiport was proposed. This plan focuses on cargo handling and operational support, separating passenger and freight circulation while integrating programs that assist industrial activities. This research comprehensively examines the integrated planning process—from site selection to architectural design and spatial programming—and demonstrates how regional characteristics can be reflected in UAM infrastructure. Through this process, it was confirmed that vertiports can exhibit diverse planning possibilities depending on site characteristics and the surrounding urban context. The results of this study are expected to serve as fundamental reference material for future vertiport planning in urban environments.