In with the new and out with the old? Industrial estates and economic development in Durban, South Africa Authors: Glen Robbins* (
[email protected]) Myriam Velia* (
[email protected]) Jana Rogoll** Chiedza Audrey Moyo** Corresponding author: Glen Robbins,
[email protected], Development Studies, Shepstone Building, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 0824969396 * Senior Researchers, South African Research Chair Initiative for Applied Poverty Reduction Assessment, School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu- Natal. ** Research Assistants, South African Research Chair Initiative for Applied Poverty Reduction Assessment, School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu- Natal. Abstract: In cities where manufacturing has thrived, considerable local attention has been given to the development of areas of land for industrial estates. The development patterns of many cities have thus been heavily influenced by choices about the location of, and infrastructure for, industrial estates. These estates, and the businesses that have occupied them, have contributed to the growth and identities of cities. Yet, as much of the world has transitioned away from established forms of mass production, and as the influences of globalised value chains in production have escalated, challenges for mature industrial estates have increased whilst demand for greenfield land development opportunities has grown. In this context it is not uncommon for cities to have new mixed-use industrial or business estates and older estates in varying states of transition from older dominant uses to non-industrial uses or to a mix of these and a variety of evolving industrial uses. With the transformation of industrial estates regularly noted in various local urban policy formulations, and occasionally considered in national policy, questions arise of how best to attend to the often-varied needs of mature industrial areas, including those experiencing decline and urban decay.