Living the good life? The rise of urban mixed-use enclaves in Metro Manila

Abstract

Gated communities and other forms of privatized enclaves have become features of many cities. The rise of urban mixed-use enclaves, which integrate functions of work, entertainment and living, is a relatively new and understudied phenomenon that is expanding rapidly throughout the Global South. In this article, we advance the concept of enclave urbanism through a case study of Eastwood City in Metro Manila, the Philippines. We trace the enabling factors for mixed-use enclave creation and assess how the different functions are marketed and integrated in practice into one “live–work–play” development. Based on extensive qualitative research, we argue that the global capital accumulation strategy of real estate developers leads to a strong focus on production and entertainment functions, but neglects questions of liveability. We reflect on the implications of our findings for mega-urban regions and urban studies research.

Keywords:

• enclave urbanism
• mixed-use
• gated communities
• condominium development
• special economic zones
• Philippines

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank four anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions to this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. See also Charmes (2010) and Yip (2012).

2. After experiences of workers’ militancy and strikes in the Philippines’ first SEZ in Bataan, zone operators have employed a strategy of dispersing workers’ housing (McKay, 2006).

3. For a discussion of changing SEZ policy in the Philippines, see Kleibert (2015).

4. See Quastel, Moos, and Lynch (2012) for a critical discussion of densification as sustainability.

5. We interviewed the head of business development of Megaworld Corporation twice, once in the beginning and once at the end of the field research to be able to cover additional questions and evaluate findings.

6. Currently under construction are Eastwood Le Grand 1, 2 and 3, and One Eastwood Avenue Tower 1 and 2.

7. Approximately $75.000; exchange rate on 22 March 2014 on www.oanda.com.

8. Approximately $660–$880, see above.

Additional information

Funding

This work was partially supported by NWO-WOTRO (the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research – Science for Global Development) [grant number W01.65.329.00].