How it all began
Launched by Peter de Leeuw in 2022, the Airport City Developer’s Network (ACD’N) has now grown to be an exclusive network of cross-disciplinary experts in real estate, urban planning, business development and operations. All members are dedicated to advancing the development of Airport Cities.
Peter was driven by the obvious lack of vision within the core airport business regarding real estate development. Vienna Airport knew about this problem and asked him to find examples, how Airport City Development could become an integral part of the airport business model. The logical path was to find like-minded colleagues at other airports and start to exchange ideas.
With the first "Airport City Developers Forum" at Vienna Airport 2023, this exchange started.
Since then, we have been working to create a mutual understanding of what airport city development can mean for airports, airport regions and real estate investors and developers. We now define an airport city as all activities relating to urban development and the real estate business at and around airports, including offices, hotels, cargo and logistics services, MICE, retail and more, as well as the management of these systems.
The network is founded on trust and honest exchange between members who are interested in discussing the challenges we all face. United by commitment and shared expertise, our network fosters a collaborative environment that sets new standards of excellence. Our holistic approach focuses on addressing current and future challenges in airport city development, aligning with the unique character of each airport to maximise impact.
The "group of colleagues" decided to become a network.
The idea of being an "Airport City Developers Network" was established in 2024 during the second Airport City Developers Forum in Vienna.
Nine people from different airports and other organisations voluntarily agreed to drive the initial process of turning the idea into an organised network, and the companies behind them confirmed to give them time and resources during working hours to do so.
Erecting an association
Since January 2026 the ACDN is a registered association, with its seat at Vienna Airport.
You can find the board members on the Imprint page.
The first general assembly will take place in Brussels in September, during the Airport City Developers Forum.
