A team of environment experts from a UK university have been called in ensure the planned Durban 'Dube' Aerotropolis adheres to high air quality standards.

Academics from the University of West England's Air Quality Management Resource Centre (AQMRC) will assist Dube Tradeport and Tongaat Hulett Developments, key developers involved in the project, to produce a set of sustainable development guidelines for land use and infrastructural projects around Durban's newly opened King Shaka International Airport.

A key objective will be working towards carbon and water neutrality during the construction of the aerotropolis, which comprises the airport, the Dube Tradeport, consisting of a trade zone that is linked to the airport's air freight facilites, an integrated agricultural export zone and support facilities.

AQMRC will provide specialist advice on carbon emissions and management in the aerotropolis area. This project builds on AQMRC experience in air and carbon management in Africa, including the Low Carbon Consensus Panel study for the Academy of Science of South Africa and the National Framework for Air Quality for the South African Government.

By Oliver Clark