Closing the Loop in Airport Infrastructure:JFK and TWA Hotel Case Study

Created as part of Sustainable Investing & Economic Growth (SUMAPS 5320) at Columbia University, this investment memorandum analyzes GE Vernova through the lens of valuation, execution risk, and energy transition dynamics. The paper focuses on the gap between market expectations and the structural realities of infrastructure-based revenue models, particularly in the context of electrification and global energy demand.

“JFK Airport and the TWA Hotel illustrate how circularity challenges are not driven by a lack of solutions, but by systemic patterns that prioritize speed, convenience, and short-term performance over long-term material retention. Interiors cycle through repeated installation and replacement, while structural systems remain intact, creating a persistent gap between use and value. Without intervention at the system level, this pattern continues to reinforce itself, making disposal the default rather than recovery.”

Prepared by Danna Echevarria, Emporia Meng, and Jett Elin

May 2026