Whatshot
Durban Aerotropolis - Good Governance key To Ensuring Its Success
Durban Aerotropolis - Good Governance key To Ensuring Its Success
"I admire the vision of the Durban Aerotropolis. You have got it down right." These were the words of airport city expert Professor Douglas Baker of the Queensland University of Technology, Australia, during his presentation at the KwaZulu-Natal International Investment Conference at the Durban ICC,
Discussing airport cities and their role in attracting future investment Baker said he had spent an interesting two days in Durban looking at the political support being given to the development of the Durban Aerotropolis. "It's amazing to see this and critical that this support be there for its (aerotropolis) success."
Finding common interests that bring people together with a mutual vision was key to relationships and governance. Fifteen years ago when he with Professor John Kasarda looked at airports as hubs for investment they did not realise how important the governance interface was at that point, Baker told local and international delegates.
Governance hinges on critical networks and relationships with government at all levels, corporations, and stakeholders including investors and communities. Governance domains were being contested; deregulation was taking place and a wider array of stakeholders world-wide were involved in the airport and the airport business, he said.
The present challenge for governance was in digital technology and platforms where there was currently a lack of co-ordination between firms, government and research institutions. Greater collaboration in this area was critical for the future of logistics and supply chains.
Investment was most crucial for the success of an aerotropolis, International aerotropolis investment expert Dr Mirjam Wiedemann, managing director WiedemannConsultants told delegates.
In a global context some aerotropoli and airport cities were flying with all investment opportunities take up while others were struggling, and this hinged on the approach to attracting investment.
Very clear short, medium and long-term strategies were needed. Social inclusion and regional benefits were critical for Durban. "If you put so much money into such a big project it is important that everyone is included," she said.
Timing and phasing of different developments may be affected by current challenges; infrastructure and connectivity, the future development of the airport and ongoing stakeholder relationships are ongoing and traditional investment incentives were no-longer enough but a good add-on, she said.
Underscoring Wiedemann's views on attracting investors Hamish Erskine Chief Executive, Dube TradePort Corporation said "Investors don't just come. We need to look at the different value propositions that make sense for for investors to put their money in and participate or provide facilities for tenants."
Touching on the proposition for the aerotropolis, Reddy asked how many cities around the world have vast areas of land and a choice of how best to use that land; where there was room to increase investment overtime because of the amount of land and where investors had a unique opportunity to get in early and partner with government to co-create an aerotropolis.