Chapter 7 Collaborative and cooperative governance mechanisms in Durban
7.2 Stakeholders and partners of the Durban Aerotropolis
7.2.1 Public sector stakeholders
The public sector stakeholders are government departments or municipalities from all three tiers of government and include EDTEA, eThekwini Municipality, KZN Department of Transport, KZN Department of Human Settlements Housing Development Agency.
7.2.1.1 Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs The role of the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs is to champion and spearhead the Durban Aerotropolis project. This project is an outcome of catalytic projects that were identified by KZN provincial government through its Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS). It was identified as one of four critical programmatic hub interventions of the department and the province (Aerotropolis, Maritime, Tourism and Industrial Economic) (EDTEA, 2015).
124 7.2.1.2 eThekwini Municipality
According to the Head of Economic Development Programmes in the eThekwini Municipality (02/06/2016), the city of Durban sees itself as a strategic partner in the Durban Aerotropolis project. In being part of the steering committee of the project its role, first and foremost, is to advance the economic development of the province. The Head of Economic Development Programmes further stated that he “did not think that the concept of the aerotropolis would have been explored had it not been for the presence of an economic development unit in the city”.
Asked to expand on the role of the municipality, he further indicated that, “what the city does, is to provide the bulk infrastructure around the aerotropolis and Dube TradePort precinct”.
He also commented that
Because the development of the city is going north, it has been critical that the city prepares itself for that change and development so as to ensure that all the right infrastructure has been put in place for the necessary projects to be set up. If the city does not make such provisions, there would not be any development happening in the northern part of the city.
Because the municipality wants to see an area within its jurisdiction grow and develop economically, it has also focused its efforts on investment promotion to help establish industries and firms in the Durban Aerotropolis that will that will create employment opportunities for residents and citizens in the wider province of KZN. Like ACSA, the municipality is also aware that EDTEA is at the forefront of the Durban Aerotropolis project and that its role is to provide a support to the project.
7.2.1.3 KZN Department of Transport
According the respondent responsible for Strategic Policy and Planning at the KZN Department of Transport (01/06/2016), the department was key in looking at various case studies from around the world to see what kind of transport infrastructure is required for setting up an aerotropolis:
A lot of the transport requirements also pointed out a need for extensive spatial planning. The spatial plans were used to ascertain what transportation needs would arise around the aerotropolis as well as around the city and the province. It was understood that a good public transport system is key and that there is a need for integration of all modes of transport in the
125 Durban Aerotropolis project. Prior to exploration of the aerotropolis concept the Department of Transport had commissioned a Northern Urban Development Corridor Study to identify what transport corridors were needed. It looked at spatial alignment in terms of the kinds of investments the project would require to make sure that the right transport modes were in place.
Following that study, an industrial development zone in the form of Dube TradePort materialised and the airport came, which then later brought about the development of the aerotropolis. The role and responsibility of the Department therefore centres around transport infrastructure developments that will be beneficial for the operation of the entire Durban Aerotropolis.
7.2.1.4 KZN Department of Human Settlements’ Housing Development Agency According to the Programme Manager of the KZN Department of Human Settlements’
Housing Development Agency (HDA) (24/05/2016), the HDA was brought onto the project for the mere fact of understanding that there cannot be planning for economic development or for any kind of development without thought into the socially inclined questions that centre around where people are going to reside and where they are going to be coming from, if they are working in a particular development.
There has to be an understanding of the movement patterns.
He also alluded to dysfunctionality that arises in urban form when other important factors, mainly around people and where they reside, are neglected. or when environmental issues are not attended to:
Now if you want to say we are talking economic development you just say well how do we improve the GDP of the area and so on but not consider movement patterns, not consider even the outlook of the area after the intervention.
The representative from the HDA further explained that their role focuses more on social wellbeing. Because they deal with issues of spatial equity, their concerns centre around the use of space and land and the efficiency in promoting inclusive economic development. He said, by way of example, that it was important where the people who work at the Dube TradePort come from, how much time they spend on the road, and how much impact that has on their productivity levels at work, commenting further that
the moment you speak about space you are then going to speak about land uses, what do people use land for, they use it for production of food, for movement, to live on it, to pray and play and so. All those elements must be covered so then the
126 issue of human settlements came as an extension on a broader definition of a spatial equity agenda, it was not purely like a clear human settlement agenda it was like spatial equity.
7.2.1.5 iLembe Chamber of Commerce
According to the CEO of the iLembe Chamber of Commerce (26/05/2016), on a much broader scale, his organisation lobbies and advocates on the implementation of government policy to ensure that iLembe District in KZN remains a business- and investor-friendly environment. In addition, the iLembe Chamber of Commerce serves as a resource for local businesses by helping to create linkages and connections for their stakeholders. What the organisation wants to see happen in this project is for the stakeholders of the Dube Aerotropolis to recognise that their duty is to represent the business community. So at the top of their agenda is ensuring that the project continues to consider the interests of business and works for business, “so you know we are representatives of business in the district” (CEO of iLembe Chamber of Commerce, 26/05/2016).
The Chamber also plays a role in facilitating infrastructure provision for businesses. Although, they do not provide infrastructure themselves, initiative is taken to ensure that government develops and provides the necessary infrastructure. Lobbying for infrastructure is important, given that the chamber is also a crucial party in investment promotion within the district.