On 19 February 2018 at 09.00 hrs. Dr. Kanit Sangsubhan, Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee presided over the inauguration of the Project of Study on EEC Aerotropolis and Formulation of Strategic Roadmap for the EEC Aerotropolis held at Mayfair Ballroom A, 11th Floor, The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam, Bangkok. Aimed to publicize the result of project study and strategic roadmap for developing the EEC into a regional socioeconomic hub, the event included a special lecture by Dr.John D. Kasarda , the leading developer of the Aerotropolis concept , and presentation of the vision, potential and strategy for EEC Aerotropolis development by project consultants from TEAM Consulting Engineering and Management Co., Ltd. (TEAM) and Chulalongkorn University’s Transportation Institute. The audience represented government agencies, private sector, consulting firms, and leading educational institutions.
According to Dr. Kanit, the government assigned the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) to implement the project in order to develop U-Tapao Airport and its surrounding areas into EEC Aerotropolis. The concept of Aerotropolis focuses on airport-centered urban development, leveraging speed, agility and connectivity for business and logistics activities. The event is a stepping stone toward infrastructure development for the EEC, of which the success will rely considerably on establishment of an Aerotropolis. The EEC Aerotroplis will be a contributing factor to macro-economic growth.
Dr. Kasarda identified Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, and Rayong as the three provinces with greatest potential for development of the EEC Aerotropolis with U-Tapao Airport serving as the center. In the spatial dimension, the EEC Aerotropolis can be divided into three concentric zones: Airport City, which covers 6,500 rai surrounding the airport and consists of aviation industry and logistics districts and Free Trade Zone (FTZ); the Inner Aerotropolis, which stretches 10 km around the airport and comprises various development zones to accommodate the Aerotropolis; and the Outer Aerotropolis which covers the three EEC provinces. An integrated multimodal transport network will maximize the development potential along the corridor.
Dr. Chariya Punyaprabhasara, Project Manager, revealed the study result which shows that the project development requires expansion of the existing cities along transportation routes to facilitate people working in the airport city as well as businesses and industries along the Aerotropolis Corridor. This includes S-Curve Industrial & Logistics Corridor and Tourism, Business Services & Urban Development Corridor. The targets are to move up the value chain; enhance labor skills; and develop livable and sustainable cities with attractive tourist destinations and infrastructure efficiency.
The EEC Aerotropolis will help to create job opportunity, generate income for locals, promote tourism, improve quality of life, secure national economic growth, and enhance Thailand’s competitiveness in the global arena.
