Exclusive Development(s): Special Economic Zones and Enclave Urbanism in the Philippines

Special economic zones (SEZs) and gated communities both constitute ‘spaces of exception’, but have rarely been analysed together. As both processes have empirically converged in the form of mixed-use urban enclaves, I connect disparate literatures to understand the fragmented and exclusive nature of the Philippines’ economic development in general, and Metro Manila’s urbanization trajectory in particular. Based on grounded qualitative research, I explicate the rise of ‘spaces of exception 2.0’ that form globally connected but locally disembedded wealthy enclaves. I show how the integration of the Philippines into global capital flows, its historically grown ‘anti-developmental’ state, and the rise of a powerful real estate sector together have led to a proliferation of exclusive and exceptional spaces. The contemporary enclave spaces epitomize an urban and national development model of ‘exclusive development’, based on spatial processes of post-industrial capital accumulation in enclosed spaces, presenting a stark contrast with discourses on inclusive development.