This paper is in essence a work about repetition and preservation. It gives details on the measures of Americans in order to follow their individual notions of happiness. The home, residence and place of residence alike, is essential in this process and it is our aim to discuss the most recent step in securing that this place remains what it used to be. Defined by the move of the masses to the periphery, the ideal of the suburban homeowner has persisted over the last 100 years. But this ideal now includes gates. A mayor reason for this move, that in fact so highly is against what life on the periphery used to be, is the transformed character of suburbia. Now, the gated community has become part of suburban lifestyle. It is the preservation of the old by repeating the standard measures of the old. And it is a way that more and more Americans are making use of adding to it a dimension of pre-eminent national importance. While various other countries, among them Brazil, Argentina, France, Spain, South Africa or Australia, have experienced the same phenomenon, we want to focus on the situation in the United States. It is in America where there has been a close connection between the policies set by the process of suburbanization and the subsequent fortification of living space in the suburbs. Moreover, in the United States the phenomenon has in some parts of the country developed into a mass movement and has thereby generated sufficient scientific attention. On the one hand, we embark by trying to shed light on the relations between the new character of suburbia that has seen the arrival of urban problems, and the ongoing proliferation of walled neighbourhoods. But the focus is undoubtedly lying on the analysis of gated communities itself; those neighbourhoods that progressively hail the private realm in order to keep unwanted problems out. And those neighbourhoods that so frequently bear antagonisms that seem to work against the desires of the residents. Chapter one begins with an overview of the suburbanization process, exploring the different phases of the move to the periphery and the character of the traditional American suburb. It continues with the description of the processes that leads to a transformed suburbia describing how characteristics previously associated with the city have reached the fringe. Further, follows an examination of the early methods on how to fight those new suburban problems. [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- A New Suburban Environment
- The Old Suburbia
- The Transformed Suburbia
- Gated Communities
- The History of Walls
- Definition and Typology
- Proliferation
- Security
- Community
- Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions
- Private Governments
- Externalities
- Conclusion
- Outlook
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the rise of gated communities in the United States, focusing on their relationship to the transformation of suburbia. It aims to analyze the factors contributing to this phenomenon and explore the consequences for residents and the wider community.
- The evolution of suburbia and the emergence of new challenges.
- The historical context and development of gated communities.
- The role of security, community, and exclusivity in gated communities.
- The social and spatial implications of gated communities.
- The future prospects of gated communities in the United States.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of gated communities in the United States, using a fictional example from T.C. Boyle's "The Tortilla Curtain" to illustrate the rigid control and homogeneity often found within these communities. The author establishes the paper's focus on the repetition and preservation of traditional suburban ideals, highlighting how the increasing prevalence of gates reflects a response to the changing nature of suburbia and the desire to maintain a specific lifestyle.
Gated Communities: This chapter delves into the phenomenon of gated communities, examining their history, typology, and proliferation in the United States. It explores various aspects of gated communities, including security measures, the concept of community within these spaces, the legal frameworks (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions), the implications of private governance, and the external consequences and effects (externalities) of their existence. The chapter likely analyzes how these communities attempt to manage and control the perceived downsides of suburban living.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Gated communities, suburbia, suburbanization, security, community, privatization, social stratification, spatial segregation, United States.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Study of Gated Communities in the United States
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
The paper examines the rise of gated communities in the United States, focusing on their relationship to the transformation of suburbia. It analyzes the factors contributing to this phenomenon and explores the consequences for residents and the wider community.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the evolution of suburbia, the historical development of gated communities, the role of security and exclusivity, the social and spatial implications of these communities, and their future prospects in the United States.
What aspects of gated communities are discussed?
The paper delves into the history, typology, and proliferation of gated communities. It explores security measures, the concept of community within these spaces, legal frameworks (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions), private governance, and the external consequences (externalities) of their existence. The paper also discusses how these communities attempt to manage and control perceived downsides of suburban living.
How does the paper approach the topic of suburbia?
The paper contrasts the "old" and "new" suburbia, highlighting how gated communities represent a response to changing suburban landscapes and a desire to maintain specific lifestyles. A fictional example from T.C. Boyle's "The Tortilla Curtain" is used to illustrate the rigid control and homogeneity often found in these communities.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction, a detailed section on gated communities, and a conclusion and outlook. The introduction sets the stage, the main section analyzes various facets of gated communities, and the conclusion summarizes findings and suggests future directions for research.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include gated communities, suburbia, suburbanization, security, community, privatization, social stratification, spatial segregation, and United States.
What is the overall objective of this research?
The paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the rise of gated communities in the United States, examining their historical context, social implications, and future trends within the broader context of suburban development.
- Quote paper
- Eike Christian Meuter (Author), 2006, Gated Communities in the United States: The Fortification of Living Space in the Light of a Transformed Suburbia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/62004
