Airport, being an integral part of our lives, is no more just a location built anywhere in the city. The concept is taken to another level, thanks to the experts and real estate developers and builders.
Globally, and now floating in Pakistan, the concept known as Aerotropolis has started taking the center; more than 80 Aerotropolis cities and towns have been built – to make travelers’ life easier and super-convenient.
Aerotropolis means “a city built around the airport”; it’s the concept coined to integrate 4.0 economy sectors, using smart technologies and sustainable development practices. The aim is to create and capture value for airports and the surrounding regions.
Here in Pakistan, the concept is ready to take root; in 2021, Tariq Murtaza, Chairman of Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), discussed the conversion of Rawalpindi into an aerotropolis with Sheher Saaz Company.
As per the plan, this aerotropolis will provide opportunities for mining, oil refineries, engineering, petroleum, residential complexes, and a technological park to add-on to the present structures of the cities and the dwellings.
So, to give light on this rising trend, we are here with some good insights.
Aerotropolis – THE NEXT BIG DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN
As explained above, an aerotropolis is a city with an airport at its central point.
“Aerotropolis” is a term coined by Dr. John Kasarda, Ph.D., a director at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. It’s the gateway of the 21st century, which is more of an epitome of highly organized, functional, and spatial evolution in urban development.
These airport-edged cities are commercial nodes that reorient the metropolitan cities into substantial business concentrations.
In Pakistan, the next big development is the Rawalpindi Aerotropolis. This neighborhood will encompass urban places, designed to appeal to the environment and social realities.
This will let businesses, especially the real estate sector, achieve their full potential.
History of Aerotropolis
The historical context of the aerotropolis is vast. If we study prehistory, we will come across innumerable conceptual ideologies about a city and its entire surrounding capacities.
Some of the notable Aerotropolis are:
- The Delhi Aerotropolis (IGIA)
- GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park, Hyderabad
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport
- Edmonton International Airport (Alberta)
- Incheon International Airport (Seoul)
- Los Angeles International Airport
Be it at the micro or macro scale. An Aerotropolis follows a specific set of development, including; hotels, offices, business parks, e-commerce streets, retail centers, information technology sectors, merchandise complexes, marts, and all other commercial propositions.
The aim is to develop a full-fledged community for travelers and foreign settlers, especially for those who travel places for work.
Have a look at a basic development plan of an ideal Aerotropolis;
How Aerotropolis infrastructures work?
It’s a systematically-planned neighborhood with strategically-organized establishments with the provided support of the authorities, enterprises, and investors.
To harness the benefits of a well-planned and structured infrastructure, the Aerotropolis aims to direct all commercial activities, including restaurants, spas, shops, outlets, gyms, and all others, to the airport.
These economic accelerators help develop the cities quickly, accessing the most articulated state-of-art designs. The aerotropolis controls the independent economic and industrial processes.
Pakistan's first Aerotropolis | Rawalpindi
Considering Rawalpindi’s situation, this aerotropolis will be giving groundbreaking availabilities and possibilities for the growth of the city and the country. RDA (Rawalpindi Development Authority) plans to develop an aerotropolis at its grand-scale urban plan.
This proposed airport city will bring in and host the most refineries for oil, mining, special economic zones (SEZs), an engineering complex, and a few technology parks.
Also, RDA aims to strictly monitor the parks, natural environment, plantations, and parks.
As these natural habitats are attractions for birds, and other domestic animals that are dangerous to airport operations.
Even the area is barbed with electronic wires to keep birds away and restrict them from entering the Aerotropolis.
Role of RDA in Aerotropolis
RDA (Rawalpindi Development Area) plays a vital role in Aerotropolis, as it helps to create a vision for the region’s development and provides access to funding for projects and initiatives that help to achieve that vision.
RDA works with local and state governments, industry, and communities to identify and address the region’s needs and build infrastructure that supports the idea of Aerotropolis.
This can include investment in public transport, roads, and other infrastructure, and access to capital to help businesses in the region to grow.
RDA also supports the development of education and training programs to ensure the workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge required to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Aerotropolis.
Future of Urban Development in Pakistan
The future of Pakistan seems promising as this future Aerotropolis in Rawalpindi will ensure prosperity and attract business opportunities that will take the economy to the next level.
This airport-centric city will open up opportunities to the city and the country, as a whole; the country’s global ranking and standing will be improved.
