A Spatio-Economic Logit Model for Aerotropolis Region of Metropolitan Cairo International Airport, Egypt

Abstract

The role of gateways, particularly the main international airports, has changed dramatically, from just being a passenger transit to an anchor and catalyst in the metropolitan economic development system and economic globalization competitiveness. The mutual interaction between international airports and the metropolitan region has resulted in the development of new urban forms and new economic approaches such as Aerotropolis. Aerotropolis is a new spatial economic approach defined as the special airport economic zone. The airport plays the role of the new urban core, metropolis, connecting all local business centers with the global to constitute a global metropolitan frontier (new metropolis or new international metropolitan core city). Therefore, Aerotropolis has become an indicator of country globalization and urban development. The research attempts to apply the international Aerotropolis approach in the Egyptian environment for the Cairo International Airport (CIA) case study in the context of the Greater Cairo Metropolitan Region (GCR), based on the projection of the concepts, factors, and key indicators of the Aerotropolis approach on the case of Cairo region. The research methodology was based on the integration of geoinformatics and statistical techniques for the development of a spatio-economic model for Aerotropolis region determination. The development of the proposed model was based on the statistical technique of the different logit model types, k-means cluster analysis. During the model establishment, the research used geoinformatics techniques of spatial analysis tools, network analysis, and weighted overlay to accomplish the research objective of Aerotropolis region generation. The research ends up with the determination of CIA Aerotropolis Region boundaries, identifying the key factors responsible for shaping this Aerotropolis, followed by recommending some policy notes to complete the missing requirements for establishing a proper Aerotropolis in GCR and its CIA capable to lure more FDI (Foreign Direct Investment), particularly in terms of the quality of employment, missing land uses, urban activities and services, and urban fabric.