ABSTRACT
The transformation of societies into transnational social formations goes along with fundamental and inevitable conflicts. ‘Global complexities’ and social structures ‘beyond societies’ (Urry 2000; 2003) often become visible as specific risk management policies – not at least in the transnational transport infrastructure system. The relations between airports and the localities that host them are basically shaped by conflicts that are characteristic of the mobilization and cosmopolitanization of modern societies (see Kesselring (Chapter 2), in this volume). They also form the spatial shape of airport regions. Hence, the ‘geography of noise’ (Faburel 2001) of airports signifies the territorial impact of globalization and increasing mobilities. Among many other hotly disputed issues, noise attracts great attention, despite various regulatory measures implemented over the past thirty years, such as acoustic aircraft certification, noise thresholds in the vicinity of airports, and sound-proofing subsidies. As demand for air travel continues to grow, resulting in the expansion of air traffic and airports, we are witnessing a proliferation of groups, movements and campaigns protesting against such expansion and its local environmental impact.
