GAAM Aerotropolis Update

GAAM Aerotropolis Update No. 3

Rose Bridger GAAM Aerotropolis Update ,

GAAM Aerotropolis Update No. 3 has been published. It looks at 43 aerotropolis developments, in 29 countries all regions of the world. Major aerotropolis projects are among the largest megaprojects that are planned and under construction. Aerotropolis Update highlights serious concerns including loss of large areas of farmland and wildlife habitat, displacement of rural communities and serious instances of land acquisition injustice. Many aerotropolis receive preferential government treatment, in particular tax breaks, and overlap with special economic zones. Maps created for GAAM show the proposed 80 square kilometre land area for Nijgadh airport and aerotropolis in Nepal, the 95 square kilometre China-Belarus Industrial Park next to Minsk Airport and farmland earmarked for the proposed Airport City Gatwick business park. The Update covers just a fraction of what is happening with airport-centric development worldwide. Material is already being compiled for Update No. 4. Issues 1 and 2 are available on the GAAM Aerotropolis Update page.

GAAM Aerotropolis Update, No. 2

Rose Bridger GAAM Aerotropolis Update ,

The second issue of GAAM Aerotropolis Update has been published. It looks at a total of 46 aerotropolis developments, in all regions of the world, with major land allocation for greenfield projects (on undeveloped land). Maps created for GAAM show the land area for three major aerotropolis projects:

  • plans for KZN (KwaZulu-Natal) Aerotropolis, around King Shaka Airport in South Africa, span over 200 square kilometres
  • plans for Long Thanh aerotropolis, in Vietnam, covers 50 square kilometres, requiring relocation of 15,000 people, and that’s just for phase one
  • the Atlanta Aerotropolis Alliance highlights an area of 418 square kilometres, predominantly urban and suburban land with areas of woodland

At the other end of the scale, the smallest aerotropolis developments cover a few hectares, but still raise concerns of loss of ecosystems and preferential treatment for firms, such as tax breaks. The Update covers just a fraction of what is happening worldwide. Material is already being compiled for Issue 3. If you missed Issue 1 it is available on the GAAM Aerotropolis Update page.