Over 8 million people in the United States choose to live within a gated community, and the number is growing. A gated community is a collection of homes that can only be accessed through a controlled and gated entrance. The purpose of these enclaves is to provide security to the the people who live within, and induce a slight feeling of rejection (and a U-turn) for the people who live without. With over 20,000 gated communities in the United States alone, it is a growing trend that creates comfort for the occupants, confusion for the outsiders, and controversy for the academics.
There are four types of gated communities:
1. Common Lifestyle
Many people choose to live in a gated community to be around people who live similar lifestyles. Retirement communities, for example, bring together people at the same stage in life and provide amenities, a sense of community, and a sense of home security.
2. Socially Elite
Social standing is very important to many individuals and so in the same spirit as a country club, groups of individuals have formed elite communities. This type of gated community usually has more luxurious amenities such as golf courses and is inhabited by people with high income levels.
3. Security Compound
This is the most common type of gated community. In foreign countries where the income gap between rich and poor is much greater, these gated communities are security compounds to protect the inhabitants from the high levels of crime that persist in the city. However, back at home, this type of community is very common but looks less fortress-like. They are simply groups of houses that are gated off to provide extra security.
4. Foreign Workers
Many companies (for example, oil companies and educational institutions) house their foreign experts in a gated community. This provides protection and camaraderie for the people who are temporarily living in the country. In certain cases, it is also a preferred way for a government to isolate the foreign workers and prevent them from interacting with the locals.
All types of gated communities share a common attribute: they are intended to provide security for the occupants. The question is: does it work? The answer is of course, undetermined. Several studies have shown that gated communities provide no real difference in security but only the illusion of security. However these studies have been restricted to the United States and do not include compounds in foreign countries. Others argue that they deter criminals because there is no easy escape route out of the community. In the face of all these conflicting opinions we have one fact: that the number of gated communities is increasing rapidly. So rapidly that some academics argue that suburban lifestyle of the future will consist of a great expanse of gated communities from ocean to ocean.
Photo via Dkillock
