Spatial economic evolution of the airport-centric developments of Cape Town and OR Tambo international airports in South Africa

Masilonyane Mokhele

doi:10.18820/2415-0495/trp70i1.3

Abstract

Among other categories of literature on the relationship between airports and land use, planning models of airport-led development are becoming bandwagons hailed by the proponents as key to the future of cities. While acknowledging the insights of literature, it is argued that concerted focus is required on analysing the spatial economic evolution of airport-centric developments. The aim of this article is to explore the evolution of the airport-centric developments of Cape Town and OR Tambo international airports in South Africa. Through the use of topographical maps, aerial photography and historical literature, the evolution is traced over six decades, namely the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. The article discovers that, despite policy and planning efforts, airport-centric developments occur over fairly long time frames. It is also imperative that the planning of airports and surrounds be informed by the integration of, among others, spatial, economic, and transportation planning at different scales. Keywords: Airport-centric development, Cape Town International Airport, evolution, OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa

Highlights

Across the world, normative planning models of airport-led development are becoming bandwagons hailed by the proponents as key to the future of cities
To draw lessons that could be useful for the planning of other airports and surrounds, this article aims to analyse the evolution of the spatial form of the environs of Cape Town and OR Tambo international airports in South Africa
Case-study approach is broadly defined as research in which analyses are undertaken on a phenomenon that is bounded by activity (Leedy & Ormrod, 2010) wherein airport-centric development is a phenomenon defined by virtue of being located in the geographical proximity of airports

Summary

Introduction

Normative planning models of airport-led development are becoming bandwagons hailed by the proponents as key to the future of cities. Such literature is necessary towards, at least in part, contributing to a better understanding of the driving forces of development on airport environs, and ensuring that planning initiatives on and around airports are appropriately directed. To draw lessons that could be useful for the planning of other airports and surrounds, this article aims to analyse the evolution of the spatial form of the environs of Cape Town and OR Tambo international airports in South Africa.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion