The Durban Aerotropolis: Emerging and underlying territorial contestations in South Africa

Airport land is emerging as one of the most contested urban and regional development spaces because of the expansion of aerotropolis construction in disputed land. This trend stems from the need for agile connectivity in the world trade system, tourism, and aviation-related trade with unlimited socioeconomic benefits for airport cities. This phenomenon has led to the building and expansion of new airports to accommodate increasing human and economic demands for aviation-related transportation. Contestations are emerging in the Global South because airports are built on the traditional lands, where local communities have been displaced and dislocated. Marginalisation and contestation in airport land also occurs between territorial disputes between metropolitan, rural, and small-town municipalities over the economic benefits offered by aerotropolis development. This chapter delineates the emerging and underlying contestations in the Durban Aerotropolis development between eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and iLembe District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. Emerging contestations have implications for policymakers from both municipalities to mutually coordinate development initiatives and adopt development models that ensure mutual benefits between these territories. This chapter argues that regional economic convergence will be determined by the ability of municipalities to address contestations and the implementation of aerotropolis strategies that promote shared and balanced growth and prosperity.