Aerotropolis readies for take-off

Ekurhuleni’s
aerotropolis is set
to enhance the
value proposition
of the Gauteng city region,
positioning it as an advanced
manufacturing hub.
A first on the African
continent, the aerotropolis
is being developed in
partnership with the Gauteng
provincial government, the
Airports Company of South
Africa and other industry
stakeholders.
Its 30-year programme
identifies 11 strategic
urban developments, four
new industrial hubs and
21 catalytic investment
projects in sectors including
retail, aerospace, advanced
manufacturing, logistics and
distribution, research and
development, and health and
life sciences.
Concluded in 2015, the
aerotropolis masterplan
states that a creative precinct
will be designed to bring
people together and foster
innovation and economic
growth,
showcasing
South
African
talent.
It will
house three
key catalytic
projects:
a medical
hub; a
business
and
conferencing
hub
comprising
a signature
international
conference centre; and a
supporting hospitality hub.
The medical hub is
planned to become a nexus
for public and private
healthcare and support
bio-life science research
and development, medical
tourism, education and
training. The area also
has potential to attract
university satellite
campuses.
Meanwhile,
the logistics
precinct
comprises a
retail hub, a
temperaturecontrolled
cold chain
village to
boost the
export of
perishables,
an
e-commerce
hub and
an agroprocessing
and
food technology hub.
The trade precinct is
to host an international
trade hub, a regional retail
hub, and an automotive
trading hub. The research
and development hub
is a state-of-the-art
technology park for major
data-driven information
and communications
companies. The higher
education hub will
provide much-needed
skills and there will also
be aviation and advanced
manufacturing precincts.
The development of
an international retail
wholesale merchandise
trade centre showcasing
South African and
international products
is planned to grow this
sector significantly. Other
planned hubs include
renewable energy, sports
and entertainment, capital
equipment and corporate
administration.
The Gauteng City Region
Economic Development
Plan, compiled by the
Gordon Institute of
Business Science (Gibs),
says Ekurhuleni anchors
the eastern development
corridor as the hub of
manufacturing, logistics
and transport industries.
The eastern corridor
has been given strategic
priority by the Gauteng city
region for its cross-sectoral
impact. This informs
plans for revitalising
manufacturing, aviation,
transport and logistics
industries linked to the
OR Tambo International
Airport.
An aerotropolis
development benefits
a number of sectors,
including transport and
logistics, pharmaceuticals
and life sciences,
automotive, advanced
manufacturing,
construction and
information technology.
These industries will
be able to exploit the
opportunities offered by
the linked air, road and
rail transport modes at the
airport and in surrounding
areas.