From a research perspective, most of the international and national universities undertake dedicated research in their areas of expertise, such as in the aviation and related industries.
Internationally, numerous private and public sector companies undertake research into areas such air service developments, safety and security, airport planning, tourism and economics, law and logistics.
The AIA will offer opportunities to conduct both theoretical and applied research that contributes to the development and enhancement of knowledge and skills in relation to Aerotropoli. The research will be both outsourced to UKZN and other research institutions and insourced at a stage when the AIA has developed sufficient internal capacity. Research projects will take on the form of the following.
AIA – New proposed publications.
Proposed Book Theme – Aerotropoli: Their future and viability in the post-Covid-19 dispensation [Call for abstracts for Volume 1]
AIA related book and/or journal publications in accredited journals – Recent Publications
Wissink HF (2020) Evaluating the Aerotropolis Model for African Cities: The Case of the Durban Aerotropolis
- Naude M, Ngwenya K and Wissink H (2021) Assessing the Durban Aerotropolis Strategy for the Purposes of Sustainable Regional Development in The Province of Kwazulu-Natal in Kariuki P, Reddy PS and Wissink H (2021) Subnational Governance and Development in South Africa – Post 1994 : Prospects and Challenges. Democracy Development Programme: Durban.
- Ngwenya K, Naude M, and Wissink H. (2022) The Durban Aerotropolis strategy for sustainable socio-economic development.
- Adegunloye, IO, and Wissink, H. (2024) Factors constraining the growth of tourism- based small, medium and micro-sized enterprises within the Durban Aerotropolis
Thought Leadership items related to the aerotropolis industry.
Masters and doctoral student dissertations and theses – Reporting on recent Graduates
The Aerotropolis Institute Africa (AIA) at UKZN, wishes to congratulate Mrs Ife Omotayo Adegunloye on the achievement of the completion of her PhD thesis in Entrepreneurship and her graduation on 9 May 2023. The contribution that her thesis makes will be important for stakeholders and policy decision-makers in the development of the Durban Aerotropolis, and especially the promotion of tourism-based small and medium-sized enterprises that are critical for the socio-economic development of this region.
We congratulate Dr Kenneth Ngwenya on the completion of his doctorate entitled: Optimising socio-economic benefits through competitive logistics systems, infrastructure and novel concepts for the Durban Aerotropolis (November 2021)
The AIA will facilitate requests and referrals to Schools for consideration to enroll for full-research masters and doctoral programmes within the College of Law and Management Studies. See the prospectus for post graduate research qualifications in the College of Law and Management Studies. Prospective students can contact the AIA with their research ideas or proposals.