‘Airport city’ Aerotropolis set to boost KZN

The King Shaka International Airport is forecast to become the heartbeat of the planned 32 000 hectare Durban Aerotropolis with an investment potential of a staggering R1 trillion.

The “airport city” will consist of 42 million square metres of business development while accommodating 1,5 million residents and is expected to ultimately deliver 750 000 permanent jobs.

Led by the KZN department of economic development, tourism and environmental affairs (EDTEA) together with Ethekwini municipality and private landowners such as Tongaat Hulett, the freightorientated development will be a premier business and trade-hub between Durban and Richards Bay.

Tongaat Hulett managing director Michael Deighton said the plan focuses on achieving three fundamental pillars of transformation.

“The emerging aerotropolis will stimulate social, spatial and economic transformation in the province while at the same time localising the benefits of global trends through a robust but flexible master plan framework,” said Deighton.

Six key investment sectors have been identified including: advanced manufacturing; health and pharmaceuticals; aviation and aerospace; tourism; agriculture and agri-processing and electronics and electrical components.

“The aerotropolis platform will propel these industries forward by attracting development and investment opportunities.”

Already, activity has increased with cargo outputs reaching a high of 1,6 million tons last month. The aerotropolis master plan forecasts a 50-year growth plan scenario of between three percent GDP growth per annum and a goal of six percent GDP growth per annum.

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Tongaat Hulett’s development portfolio for the region will include next-generation urban amenities, multimodal logistics platforms, business parks and a wide range of residential opportunities including quality affordable housing.

Furthermore, Ethekwini Municipality’s highly anticipated flagship public transport system GO!Durban should be launched later this year and will ultimately link the greater Durban city centre to the airport.

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