From ArborWiki

When in doubt, come up with a flashy name, then figure out what it means.

Operating on the idea that regional economic vitality requires strong air travel connections to the rest of the world, many thought-leaders and regional officials are pursuing the idea of an "aerotropolis". The aerotropolis would use Detroit Metro and Willow Run Airports as anchors for the economy, assuming that, if the transportation links are there, the economy will follow. ("Phase 3: profit!")

While transportation infrastructure has always been a key driver of economic development, some possibilities for an aerotropolis seem to ignore existing residential and employment patterns - rather than leveraging the airports by linking them more efficiently with the rest of the region, these conceptions look to fill the area between the two airports with sprawl new development.

Sources:

• Metromode, May 31, 2007: Michigan Aerotropolis