Zones of Progress
The Past, Present and Future of Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
Documentary19 minDirected by Timothy Allen
The story of Special Economic Zones
This documentary tells the fascinating story of Special Economic Zones: geographically demarcated areas of countries where different rules and regulations apply. There are more than 7,000 of these across the world, and they have helped shape the development path of countries as diverse as Ireland, China, and the UAE.
It explores how they originated, how some of the leading modern zones function, and what the future of these zones could be.
Timothy Allen
Creative Director
Timothy hosts the Free Cities Podcast, the Foundation’s long-running interview series on the people who build, live in, and advocate for Free Cities. Across more than 180 episodes he has sat down with city operators, economists, legal scholars, residents and sceptics, turning a niche policy debate into an accessible, human conversation that reaches listeners on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Pocket Casts.
View profileVoices from the film
Zones of Progress brings together the people building and studying the world's most ambitious zones.
Peter YoungFree Cities Foundation
Titus GebelFree Cities Foundation
Andreas BaumgartnerSpecial Economic Zones Advisor
Vera KichanovaFree Cities Foundation
Ivan KoVictoria Harbour Group
Stephan LiveraBitcoin Podcaster
Mark BeerDispute-Resolution Expert
Olivier RolandEntrepreneur & Author
…alongside zone directors, founders and policymakers interviewed on location around the world.
Go deeper on the film
Managing Director Peter Young breaks down what we discovered making Zones of Progress — the history of special economic zones, and where they go next.
Episode 73
Peter Young | Special Economic Zones, Autonomy and the Future of Free Cities
Timothy Allen · Free Cities FoundationPeter Young · Free Cities FoundationPeter Young of the Free Cities Foundation gives a 101 on special economic zones, free zones in Dubai and the future of autonomous cities.
Listen to the episode