Appearing in the July/August 2006 issue of Fast Company magazine, the article said: "Before the end of this year, on a still-soggy tract that now lies at the creeping border of Bangkok's suburbs, a new US$4-billion [Bt149 billion] mega-airport will finally open, forming the heart of a nascent city. When it's finished, the erstwhile Cobra Swamp airport, now Suvarnabhumi, will pump more than 100 million passengers a year through its glass portals, about as many as JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports combined. Within 30 years, a city of 3.3 million citizens will have emerged from the swampland."

The article is focused on the word "aerotropolis", a term created by John Kasarda, a professor at the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School. Kasarda's vision is that - rather than banish airports to the edges of cities- we should move them to the centre and build around them.

He backed up the view with what he calls the "invisible plexus" of air-cargo networks that have shrunk the globe. Over the past 30 years, global gross domestic product has risen 154 per cent, and the value of world trade has grown 355 per cent. But the value of air cargo has climbed 1,395 per cent.

The article has attracted some comments from readers, which Thais who are debating if they are gonna love or hate the Suvarnabhumi City concept might want to hear.

One came from Paul, a professional from Chicago, which best describes the Thai government's feeling towards the development concept.

Paul said: "The concept is great for development of local and global economies. I really hope this takes off literally in the United States. The only problem is getting everybody on the same page. Secondly, getting banks and government organisations to stomach the financing. Finally, having the will to see the project through from dream to completion is going to be the ultimate challenge. I know we can do it!"

Chris Scurlock, a scientist from Virginia, raised concerns over ecological/environmental effects. "Jets use tremendous amounts of fuel, they do much to contribute to the rise of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and they take their toll on the ozone layer. What effect will environmental legislation and mandates cause?"

Courtney, a student from Chicago, also made an interesting point.

"The aerotropolis is a fascinating and dangerous concept. I can understand and appreciate the logic, in theory, though I have to point out that these rings of logistics, business, residence and leisure make it sound exactly like a bull's eye ... a terrorist's dream. Shouldn't we, as concerned global citizens, stop ourselves and ask what significant crisis risk comes with such a plan?"

Certainly, with the heightened security measures at US and British airports, those thinking about moving to Suvarnabhumi City might want to reconsider.

achara_d@nationgroup.com.