Navigating the toolbox
The toolbox can be used primarily for four purposes:
- To acquire knowledge on what ZSR is and how it can be implemented.
- To review case studies – inspiring and problematic – from specific SEZs.
- To understand the implications of China’s SEZ experience and global involvement for ZSR.
- To consider policy recommendations on how to implement ZSR in current and future SEZs.
The toolbox is divided into an introductory section and four main sections.
The introductory section allows users to familiarise themselves with the toolbox (see How to use the toolbox). It explains the definitions of ZSR and SEZs and the way these terms are used in this toolbox. It outlines the key issues about SEZs and why ZSR is important, and explains the role of China in this context. There is also a list of references (see References).
The four main sections provide users with detailed information, examples and recommendations about ZSR. Each section covers one of the four types of ZSR:
- local communities,
- in-migration,
- employment and labour, and
- environment and sustainability.
Under each of the four types, users can navigate through the various relevant ZSR issues and find detailed information and cases on each issue. For example, under local communities, users can find information on land acquisition and compensation, urbanisation and amenities, inequality, gender, and health and safety. Similarly, the other three types of ZSR also cover a set of issue areas, which are all frequently observed problems in SEZs that affect locals and surrounding areas and are commonly insufficiently addressed. For each issue area, the toolbox follows the same structure
The first section offers key insights and recommendations on how ZSR can be implemented in the relevant issue area.
The second section provides an overview of the problem that is being discussed.
The third section provides specific examples of existing ZSR practices, where these are available. It includes examples where problems with ZSR have been observed, and more importantly, examples illustrating how issues have been addressed or even effectively resolved in specific SEZs. Insights from China’s experience with SEZs are also included.
considerings to what extent ZSR dimensions were addressed in both the Chinese domestic SEZs and China-associated SEZs elsewhere.
The final section provides a list of further readings about the issue area and relevant ZSR dimensions.
The aim is that the toolbox can grow further in the future by adding more insights and sources on the issues covered and adding further case study examples. Users are encouraged to report interesting insights, sources and, most importantly, examples of both inspiring and problematic practices in SEZs, so they can potentially be added to the toolbox. Users can provide this information through the “Share your insights” link on the home page.
The data and information on SEZs have been gathered as part of a multi-year research project on SEZs at King’s College London, with the support of the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) in Bangalore, India. It involved large surveys of literature and policy papers on SEZs; in-depth consultations with stakeholders and experts; exchanges and feedback at workshops and symposia, including in the countries where SEZs are located; artificial-intelligence-assisted analysis of 50 SEZs in Africa, conducted by Adarga; geographic information system (GIS) mapping of 10 zones in Africa; and in-depth fieldwork at six case study zones in India, Nigeria and Uganda. Although the regional focus has been on Africa and India, and on China-associated SEZs, the broader surveys and stakeholder consultations have confirmed that the issues covered in the toolbox are known to affect most SEZs globally, and that there is an urgent need to address them by applying ZSR.
The toolbox was created by:
Dr Jan Knoerich, Reader in China and the Global Political Economy at the Lau China Institute and Department of International Development, King’s College London. He specialises in foreign direct investment and its business, political economy and development implications. Email: [email protected]
Dr Charlotte Goodburn, Reader in Chinese Politics and Development at the Lau China Institute, King’s College London. She specialises in migration, urbanisation, special economic zones and China’s development in comparative perspective.
Email: [email protected]
Dr Soumya Mishra, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Lau China Institute, King’s College London. She conducts research on rural to urban migration, industrial development and the implications of Chinese manufacturing overseas.
Dr Malini Tantri
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Dr S Manasi
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GIS mapping of African SEZs was undertaken by Dr Damilola Adegoke, King’s College London.
Web programming and design was done by: Zero Works, Jakob Vattakaven, Bangalore, India.
Photo credits: Jere Ikongio, 2018, used with permission
The toolbox benefited from the support of:
Dr Mercy Agumadu, Hillside University of Science and Technology, Nigeria
Obvious Akampwera, Uganda
Franklin Draku, Uganda
Dr Francesca Ghiretti, Adarga, United Kingdom
Francesca Griffin, Adarga, United Kingdom
Prof. Ekaette Ikpe, King’s College London, United Kingdom
Dr Noel Kansiime, Bishop Stuart University, Uganda
Dr William Matthews, Adarga, United Kingdom
Frederic Musisi, Uganda
Sam Olsen, Adarga, United Kingdom
Prof. Bolaji Omitola, Osun State University, Nigeria
Dr Olumide Omodunbi, Osun State University, Nigeria
Dr Angela Tritto, Institute of Asian Studies, University of Brunei
Dr Robert Turyamureeba, Bishop Stuart University, Uganda
All research participants in India, Nigeria and Uganda.