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Understanding Industrial Parks: A Comprehensive Guide

Updated: Oct 31


Industrial Parks

What is an Industrial Park?


An industrial park is a designated area specifically zoned and planned for industrial development. It serves as a cornerstone of modern economic growth strategies, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and promoting export-oriented industrialization. Industrial parks are typically located on the outskirts of urban areas or in their immediate vicinity, strategically positioned near important transportation networks such as highways, railways, airports, and ports.


These parks are geographically-delineated tracts of land developed and subdivided into plots according to a comprehensive plan. They are designed to provide a range of infrastructure and utilities to support industrial activities. The fundamental idea behind an industrial park is that it functions as an industrial policy instrument, created by the government to attract investment with the ultimate objective of achieving growth and development.


Types of businesses found in industrial parks


Industrial parks accommodate a diverse range of businesses, primarily focusing on industrial manufacturing and related services. Common types of businesses found in these parks include:

  1. Food industry companies involved in food processing, preparation, packaging, and distribution.

  2. Logistics and warehousing operations, which have seen increased demand due to the growth of e-commerce.

  3. Consumer goods production facilities manufacturing items such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and furniture.

  4. Electronics industry companies producing items like televisions, computers, and mobile phones.


Differences between industrial parks and other commercial zones


Industrial parks differ from other commercial zones in several key aspects:

  1. Zoning: Industrial parks are specifically zoned for industrial use, while commercial zones are typically designated for businesses that interact with the public, such as office buildings, shopping plazas, and restaurants.

  2. Building size and restrictions: Industrial parks usually occupy large plots of land to accommodate expansive manufacturing centers and warehouses. Commercial zones tend to have smaller buildings in more congested areas.

  3. Environmental considerations: Industrial parks often face stricter environmental regulations due to the potential for increased pollution and waste generation. Commercial zones generally have less environmental impact.

  4. Infrastructure: Industrial parks provide specialized infrastructure tailored to the needs of manufacturing and logistics operations, such as heavy-duty power supplies, waste treatment facilities, and transportation networks.

  5. Public access: Industrial parks are generally closed off to the public, focusing on employee access and goods movement. Commercial zones are designed for easy public access and high foot traffic.


Benefits of Industrial Parks


  • Economic advantages for businesses

Industrial parks present significant economic benefits for businesses. They offer a range of infrastructure and utilities that support industrial activities, allowing companies to save both money and resources. By sharing common facilities and services, businesses can reduce their operational costs and improve their efficiency. 


For instance, companies in industrial parks can share wastewater treatment facilities, which enhances environmental performance at a cost that a single industrial facility could not achieve on its own.


Furthermore, industrial parks provide opportunities for industrial symbiosis, where one company's waste becomes another's input. This collaborative approach enables businesses to gain a competitive advantage by reducing waste and emissions. 


  • Job creation and local economic growth

One of the primary benefits of industrial parks is their significant impact on job creation and local economic growth. These parks attract a wide range of industries, from manufacturing and warehousing to research and cold storage, creating large numbers of high-paying, career-oriented jobs in the region. This influx of employment opportunities has a substantial positive effect on the local economy.


Industrial parks also contribute to the development of a skilled workforce. Foreign-based companies in these parks play a crucial role in skill upgrading and knowledge transfer. The presence of innovative entrepreneurs with diverse skills and technological know-how further enhances the development of social capital in the area.

Moreover, industrial parks have a ripple effect on the local economy. By attracting large-scale businesses with sizable workforces, they draw new residents to the region. This population growth, in turn, attracts additional businesses to serve the growing community, benefiting various sectors such as services, retail, and real estate.


  • Infrastructure and resource sharing

One of the key advantages of industrial parks is the shared infrastructure and resources they provide. These parks offer serviced infrastructure and utilities, including both hard and soft infrastructure, which makes daily manufacturing operations more productive, hygienic, and efficient. The shared facilities can include power supplies, waste treatment facilities, and transportation networks, all tailored to the needs of manufacturing and logistics operations.


Industrial parks also enable businesses to exploit opportunities for resource sharing and recycling. Companies can reuse or recycle resources such as water and plastics, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy. This approach not only reduces waste but also improves the overall environmental performance of the industrial park.

Furthermore, industrial parks often provide a range of support services and facilities that individual businesses might struggle to access on their own. These can include shared office spaces, co-working areas, and accommodation capacity. Such shared resources not only reduce costs for businesses but also foster collaboration and innovation within the industrial community.


Types of Industrial Parks


Industrial parks come in various forms, each designed to meet specific industrial needs and development goals. These specialized areas play a crucial role in promoting economic growth and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). Let's explore some of the main types of industrial parks:


  • Traditional industrial parks

Traditional industrial parks are the most common type of industrial estates. These parks provide a designated area for manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and other industrial activities. They offer basic infrastructure and utilities to support industrial operations, including roads, power supply, water, and waste management systems. Traditional industrial parks aim to create an environment conducive to industrial development and often include a mix of industries within their boundaries.


  • Eco-industrial parks

Eco-industrial parks (EIPs) represent a more sustainable approach to industrial development. These parks are designed to promote collaboration between businesses and the local community to reduce waste, efficiently share resources, and improve environmental performance. EIPs focus on creating a circular economy within the industrial area, where one company's waste becomes another's input. 


The Eco-industrial Park Handbook defines an EIP as "a community of manufacturing and service businesses located together on a common property. Members seek enhanced environmental, economic, and social performance through collaboration in managing environmental and resource issues." EIPs can be developed as greenfield projects or through retrofitting existing industrial developments.


  • Technology parks and innovation districts

Technology parks and innovation districts are specialized industrial areas that focus on fostering innovation and technological advancement. These parks often cluster research institutions, universities, and high-tech companies to create an ecosystem that promotes collaboration and knowledge exchange. Innovation districts, in particular, are designed to be highly accessible and integrated into urban areas, often featuring mixed-use developments that combine work, living, and recreational spaces.


Innovation districts are characterized by their physical compactness, transit accessibility, and robust innovation infrastructure. They leverage the density and proximity of their components to foster collaboration and innovation. These districts often include a mix of economic, physical, and networking assets that create an innovation ecosystem, facilitating idea generation and accelerating commercialization.


  • Specialized industrial parks

Specialized industrial parks cater to specific industries or sectors, providing tailored infrastructure and services to meet the unique needs of those industries. These parks aim to create industrial clusters that can benefit from shared resources, specialized workforce, and industry-specific support services. 


Specialized industrial parks can help restructure the industrial park model towards specialized industrial clusters. This approach can solve many problems related to production premises, waste treatment, and attracting domestic and foreign investors, especially enterprises that have a demand for a large-scale area for production and business with modern production lines.


The Role of Government in Industrial Parks


  • Policy frameworks

Governments are responsible for creating comprehensive policy frameworks that guide the strategic planning and development of industrial parks. These frameworks often include legislation covering essential aspects such as location criteria, infrastructure requirements, and environmental obligations. 


For instance, industrial park legislation may address effective location criteria, ensuring transportation and communication facilities, and connections to markets. Additionally, governments establish policies for investor eligibility, plot allocation, and the organization of industrial park governance bodies.


The development of inclusive and sustainable industrial parks is instrumental in implementing programs like the United Nations Industrial Development Organization's (UNIDO) Program for Country Partnership (PCP). This innovative multi-stakeholder partnership model aims to accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development in member states.


  • Incentives and support

To attract investments and promote the growth of industrial parks, governments often provide a range of incentives and support measures. These can be classified into three broad categories: financial incentives, fiscal incentives, and other incentives. Financial incentives may include direct subsidies, grants, and loans, while fiscal incentives often involve tax holidays and reduced tax rates. Other incentives can encompass subsidized land, infrastructure, and services, as well as various regulatory concessions.


For example, in Egypt, the government has issued a decree granting new tax incentives to industrial investment projects and their expansions. These incentives include cash incentives equivalent to a percentage of the income tax due on the project, with the percentage varying based on the level of foreign funding. 


  • Public-private partnerships


Governments increasingly recognize the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the development and management of industrial parks. These partnerships can help leverage private sector expertise and resources while ensuring alignment with public policy objectives. PPPs can take various forms, including joint ventures, concessions, and management contracts.


In PPP arrangements, the government typically retains certain responsibilities, such as providing land, establishing regulatory frameworks, and offering financial support or guarantees. The private sector, on the other hand, brings technical expertise, investment capital, and operational efficiency. 


For example, in Egypt, the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) acts as the supervisory body monitoring the establishment of private industrial parks, while the General Authority for Free Zones & Investment (GAFI) serves as the principal regulatory authority for investments.


By promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors, governments can create a conducive environment for the sustainable development and operation of industrial parks, ultimately contributing to economic growth and industrial development.


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FAQs


What was the world’s first industrial park? 

Broadheath Industrial Park, founded in 1885. 


What is the biggest industrial park in the world? 

Jubail Industrial City is the world's largest industrial city.  Established in 1975 in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, it spans 1,016 square kilometers, it houses industrial complexes and ports, contributing around 7% of the nation’s GDP.


What is the primary function of an industrial park?

An industrial park typically hosts a variety of facilities, including manufacturing plants, transportation hubs, and storage solutions. These parks are designed to cluster businesses that benefit from being near each other, offering complementary services and features.


In what ways do industrial parks impact the economy?

Industrial parks are crucial for economic development as they create a multitude of job opportunities. They offer various employment positions across manufacturing, logistics, management, and support sectors, thereby significantly boosting job creation.


What guidelines exist for the development of industrial parks?

The International Framework for Eco-Industrial Parks provides essential guidelines aimed at assisting policymakers and industry professionals. This framework focuses on creating industrial parks that are economically viable and environmentally and socially sustainable, promoting cooperation between government and the private sector.


How do industrial parks differ from industrial zones?

Industrial zones consist of individual manufacturing units operating independently, whereas industrial parks function as a cohesive entity where various businesses operate independently but share access to essential benefits and services, enhancing their operational efficiency.


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