Dr Ismail Vadi
The Ekurhuleni City Council has approved the new Metropolitan Spatial Development Framework (MSDF), thus reinforcing its planning instruments in order to shape the Ekurhuleni of the future.
Speaking at last week’s aerotropolis conference, executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Councillor Mondli Gungubele, said: “There cannot be any reservations that the new city design will drive radical social, spatial and economic transformation by bridging the gap between the nine traditional economic centres and five township complexes.
“The design is informed and crafted to be a platform rooted within the catalytic aerotropolis projects.”
Gungubele said that positioning the Eastern Development Corridor as the anchor of the aerotropolis is an attempt to maximise its inherent capabilities as a hub of manufacturing, aviation, logistics and transport — capabilities that are at the core of the Aerotropolis Development Programme.
“However, our quest to fully achieve our objectives cannot be realised unless we stick to non-negotiable imperatives, including crowding-in of sunrise industrial capability and investments; unleashing of innovation to enable new venture creation; optimising open spaces and the environment; agglomeration of smart industries and green technology diffusion; repositioning the Gauteng region in national, regional and global discourse and investing in human development to enable the knowledge economy.”
The mayor also announced that next year 20 students are to be trained for four years on managing an aerotropolis in the Netherlands.
Theory of change
One of the challenges faced by Ekurhuleni is its present fragmented and reactive approach towards the development of land as a conduit for investment, delegates heard at the recent aerotropolis conference.
This was raised by HOD: City Planning for the City of Ekurhuleni Aubrey Motubatse, who said that trying to unravel this problem statement occurs against a background of legal requirements embedded in the Systems Act, and that the growth and development strategy 2025 is the starting point.
“There are vital statistics relating to Ekurhuleni, which are critically linked to the city region. There is a well-structured, multi-nodal core and regional accessibility in terms of road and rail networks, with rail presently under-utilised,” said Motubatse.
“There are five influencing factors. The spatial development of the city is influenced by dynamics, such as needing an identity and leveraging on transport-related development. We also need to ensure productive use of open space. We need to address how to use strategic land parcels to advance economic development.
“The development concept equals the entrance to the metro core; we need to grow it sustainably as a defined core city in terms of a 10, 15 and 20km radius. Agriculture needs to become more prominent in the spatial development framework than before.
“Compacting the city becomes most important and the role of transport can make or break our economy. I have learned that if we do not incorporate organised transport, we cannot promote healthy and affordable transport.
“Urban integration and transformation is also very important as it applies to core nodes, functional corridors, access to opportunities, mixed land use and the transport department.
“We need to re-urbanise in terms of nodal retrofit and development; re-industrialise and re-govern and for planning purposes, categorise regions according to purpose and role, taking into account in terms of potential what Lesedi brings as part of Ekurhuleni (Lesedi was previously part of Sedibeng but will become part of Ekurhuleni in 2016).
“Key interventions also need to be made to regenerate our environment. Some land that has been mined is not suitable for humans. This needs to be used as an area of convergence, like a central park.”
Motubatse said that while there are mega spatial projects in progress, he would like to focus on area-based management, and that there are certain catalytic recommendations to take the MSDF forward.
“We must come up with interventions and we need to use strategic land parcels to attract such interventions,” he concluded.
Reach for regeneration
The Ekurhuleni aerotropolis will integrate and impact land, infrastructure and organisations across Gauteng
“We are moving from thinking and planning, now that we have presented the skeletal framework of a 30-year master plan. This is not one project, one event or one moment in history. It is three decades of building and transforming the spatial landscape around the airport.”
These were the comments from Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Dr Ismail Vadi, who said the plan provides certainty and clarity to prospective investors and other major players who want to do things in this country. Due to the topology, portions of land will be developed by government, some by parastatals such as Denel, and others by the private sector.
“We might not have a composite picture, but activities revolve around hospitality and tourism, aviation, defence, pharmaceuticals and housing developments,” he continued. “Once you put the pieces of the puzzle together, the end product becomes clearer. In this instance, the building blocks are there. The Gautrain development, for example, is completely now part of the aerotropolis.
“The premier says this is part of the process. From government’s side, we are positioned to get projects going and Gauteng government has identified projects to value and has set aside R1.7-trillion for development.
“The freeway network will be inadequate for the scale of the aerotropolis and we are planning a new highway. Partnerships are being formed between local, provincial and national government and the private sector and work is in progress. Talking is done. The time for action is now.”
Vadi cautioned that if the South African economy is to be maintained and grow, all parties must move very quickly to give South Africa a lead over other African cities, which are moving to make their mark in this arena.
“Africa is not waiting for you and other cities want to take action,” stressed Vadi. “All the logistics are there already and now all we are talking about is rapid growth.
“Government is now speaking with one voice and we are saying we are ready. Our hands are stretched out — reach for it, reach for the regeneration, job creation, reduction of poverty and the immense possibilities for emancipation.
The MEC underlined the persistence, passion and dedication Ekurhuleni has demonstrated for the aerotropolis and said: “We must now forge a very close relationship with the private sector. Ultimately this is a private sector development. Ekurhuleni has provided a plan, tax incentives and parcels of land. It is now up to the private sector to put its money where its mouth is so that we can make the aerotropolis a reality. We are ready to work with you.
“It is important to reiterate that no single government or stakeholder can do this alone. We will have to work together. Don’t get bogged down in red tape but create a seamless environment for investors,” said Vadi.
“Ekurhuleni is on the threshold of something really promising and I hope and pray this aerotropolis becomes a booming reality.”
Gauteng’s development hubs
Four development hubs have been established in Ekurhuleni: a creative hub, Gauteng trade hub, a logistics corridor hub and technical research and development hub. According to Ekurhuleni Mayor Mondli Gungubele, these hubs are “deliberately organised towards resilience, workability and sustainability”.
Providing expert insight
Intrinsic to the aerotropolis conference were the panel discussions that took place, covering the spectrum of topics, from ICT chief intelligence officers from such companies as ACSA, Microsoft, IBM (the latter which has committed to a R150-million contribution towards skills development) and Teraco Data Environments, to Dutch expertise and best practices in airport city developments, a presentation by Rens Dulaart from To70.
Denel’s deputy CEO, Victor Xaba, had his audience captivated when he revealed what the company has been doing over the years for companies like Boeing and Airbus, which includes critical aircraft componentry designed, developed and continued to be manufactured by Denel.
ACSA’s OR Tambo general manager, Bongiwe Pityi described taking the airport from being a destination to being a place to meet-and-greet and explained that the company is currently completing a feasibility study to turn the airport into a precint resembling Melrose Arch or Nelson Mandela Square.
Yolisa Mashilwane, HOD: Transport Planning and Provision for the Ekurhuleni municipality revealed the branding of the Ekurhuleni Bus Rapid Transit Development, saying: “We have a name! Harambee!”
Well over 30 expert leaders across multiple industry and government sectors, both local and from various countries took part in the broad and authoritive conference panel discussions. Many of these panelists represented entities that have already made partnership commitments and investment into the successful implementation of the aerotropolis.