Urban Enclosure Movement: The Impact of Gating a Previously Non- Gated Residential Area

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Department of Architecture Menoufia University

Abstract

Gated and controlled access housing developments are commonly perceived as a
desirable setting by homeowners and home buyers. However, it has been claimed
that gating contradicts the concept of permeability, connectivity, and livability of
cities. How gating affects residential satisfaction? Answering this question will be
hard in the case of studying gated communities because gates and walls are
interrelated with several amenities that characterize this type of housing. Therefore,
the present research is a qualitative case study that explores the impact of gating a
previously non-gated housing area. It highlights residents’ experiences, feelings, and
perceptions of their residential environment before and after the installation of the
gates. Results show that three domains out of five are positively affected by gating,
specifically: (a) place identity; (b) privacy and environmental control; and (c) safety
and security feelings. The findings indicate also that privacy and convenience of
controlled access is a paramount advantage of gating more than protection from
crime. Most importantly is that residents are used now to the benefits achieved from
gating that they will hardly force it aside by the need to promote livable and
sustainable city life.

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