Sustainable Airport Manual™

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The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is the first in the nation to develop sustainable guidelines for design and construction at airports. The Sustainable Airport Manual ™ (SAM®) ​was created as an integral part of Chicago’s ongoing efforts toward implementing more environmentally sustainable initiatives across all airport activities.

The SAM  is a comprehensive guidance manual created by the CDA to incorporate and track sustainability in administrative procedures, planning, design and construction, operations and maintenance, and concessions and tenants with minimal impact to project schedules or budgets.



 Download the complete Sustainable Airport Manual v4.0​

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Sustainable Airport Manual Chapters and Appendices

​​​ Introduction:
Download Introduction​

Planning: Sets the framework for incorporation of sustainability into all airport functions, from initial plans through commissioning and operation, by providing policy guidance, measurable checklists, and case study examples.  
Download Planning Chapter
Appendix PL-A - Planning Checklist

Design & Construction Chapter: Guides ​the incorporation of sustainability into design and construction of civil-airside, civil-landside, occupied buildings, unoccupied buildings/structures, and major renovations in an airport environment.
Download Design & Construction Chapter
Appendix DC-A – Green Airplane Rating System for Design & Construction​
Appendix DC-B - Design and Construction Checklists
Appendix DC-C – Referenced City of Chicago Specifications and Sta​ndards​

        013547 - Construction Air Quality
             013547 - Diesel Emissions Compliance Form
        013550 - Local/Regional Materials
              013550 - Local/Regional Materials Worksheets
        013560 - Recycled Content  
              013560 - Recycled Content Worksheets
        013600 - Sustainable Temporary Construction Materials  ​
              013600 - Sustainable Temporary Construction Materials Worksheets
       017419 - Construction Waste Management
               017419 - Construction Waste Management Worksheets ​​​ ​
        02905 – Sustainable Airport Landscaping
        02931 – Seeding and H​ydro-Mulching​
        P-156 Temporary Soil Erosion Control
        T-901 S​ee​ding
   Appendix DC-D – Chicago Department of Aviation Best Management Practices

Operations & Maintenance: Guides the ​incorporation of sustainability into an airport’s everyday activities, with a focus on training, monitoring, reporting and the refinement of Best Management Practices.
Download Operations & Maintenance C​hapter
Appendix OM-A – Green Airplane Rating System for Operations & Maintenance
Appendix OM-B - Operation & Maintenance Checklist


Terminal Occupants: Guides the incorporation of sustainability into the planning, design, construction, and operation of all terminal occupants. ​
Download Terminal Occupants Chapter​​​
Appendix TO-A – Green Airplane Rating System for Terminal Occupants (Design & Construction)
Appendix TO-A – Green Airplane Rating System for Terminal Occupants (Operations & Maintenance)
Appendix TO-B – Terminal Occupants Checklist