International visitors, rising crime, and increasing economic class differences in the growing cities are not only an American issue. France, England, Switzerland, South Africa, Australia, and Sweden are only a few among the countries worldwide which are concerned with gated communities. But since gated communities are a typical form of suburban living and suburbia is rooted in the United States I want to focus on this country.
Different forms of gated communities are spreading rapidly. In the suburbs, as well as in inner-cities, but also as entirely new cities the spaces they characterize are larger and larger and also the life of more and more people. What had so far only been known from mega cities of the Third World or as a phenomenon of the apartheid in South Africa, is common anywhere today. Historically, spatially separated communities are actually nothing new in Europe or the US. Even in the middle ages monasteries and castles served as separation, and Tuxedo Park in New York was already fenced in 1885. However, the current development in the USA is new in terms of its variation and quantity and is therefore a relevant subject to research for urban studies.
Gated communities and their origin, development and spreading are a topic on which only little research has been conducted so far. In the past 15 years the boom of fenced neighborhoods in the United States has not only caused a dramatic change in American city landscapes, but has at the same time contributed to the development of a new, suburban society which deliberately wants to separate itself from the city, i.e. public life. Due to the decreasing quality of public service in many cities in the USA an alternative, private form of local government has established alongside the gated communities; often it has already substituted public communities in their function. With regard to these fundamental changes, it is astonishing that the matter of closed settlements has so far been subject to research only to a small extent. Studies, which deal with gated communities with regard to segregation of society and the fragmentation of the city connected to this, have only been carried out for few years.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Defining community
- 3. The different types of gated communities
- 3.1 Lifestyle communities
- 3.2 Prestige communities
- 3.3 Security zone communities
- 4. Reasons for the development of gated communities in the US
- 5. The consequences of the emergence of gated communities
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the phenomenon of gated communities in the USA, focusing on their origins, development, and consequences. It critically examines the emergence of these private neighborhoods and their impact on American city landscapes and suburban society.
- Definition and characteristics of gated communities
- Reasons for the rise of gated communities in the US
- The social and spatial consequences of gated communities
- The concept of "community" and its relationship to gated communities
- Comparison of different types of gated communities (lifestyle, prestige, security).
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting the global prevalence of gated communities, emphasizing their significance in the context of American suburbia. It notes the historical presence of spatially separated communities but underscores the unprecedented scale and variation of the current development in the USA. The chapter establishes the limited existing research on the topic and emphasizes the need for a critical analysis of this rapidly evolving phenomenon, particularly regarding its impact on urban landscapes and the creation of a new, self-segregated suburban society that often substitutes for public services. The introduction also foreshadows the paper's approach, focusing on the origins, characteristics, and consequences of gated communities, and concludes by posing the central question: do gated communities lock out crime or lock residents out of public life?
2. Defining community: This chapter tackles the complex and multifaceted concept of "community," acknowledging its inherent vagueness and rich historical and social connotations. It presents a scholarly consensus on key elements of community, including shared territory (defined by physical boundaries like walls and gates), shared values (racial background, income, religion, etc.), a shared public realm (parks, streets), and a shared political and economic life (civic associations, homeowner associations). The chapter emphasizes the dual nature of "community" in America, functioning both as a set of local social relationships and as a political and social construct within a specific territory. This nuanced definition lays the groundwork for understanding how the concept of community is invoked—and potentially manipulated—within the context of gated communities.
3. The different types of gated communities: This chapter delves into the various types of gated communities, exploring lifestyle communities, prestige communities, and security zone communities. While the specific details of each type are not provided in the preview, the chapter's overall focus is on the diversification and proliferation of these communities and their varying motivations (lifestyle choices, status, security), offering a systematic categorization of the phenomenon. This classification allows for a more nuanced understanding of the diverse forms gated communities can take and their respective roles within the broader social and spatial landscape.
4. Reasons for the development of gated communities in the US: This chapter likely examines the driving forces behind the surge in gated communities within the United States. While the specific arguments are not detailed here, it would probably explore factors such as rising crime rates, the decline in the quality of public services, increasing economic inequality, and a desire for exclusivity and privacy. This section would offer an analysis of these socio-economic and political drivers, illuminating the complex interplay of factors that have fueled the growth of these communities and their implications for urban development and social cohesion.
5. The consequences of the emergence of gated communities: This chapter would address the wide-ranging consequences of the widespread adoption of gated communities. It might discuss the effects on social segregation and the fragmentation of cities, the impact on public services and infrastructure, and the creation of parallel, private systems of governance within gated communities. It would likely analyze both positive and negative aspects, while maintaining a critical perspective on the potential societal implications of this spatial and social phenomenon.
Keywords
Gated communities, suburbia, urban studies, community, social segregation, security, privacy, prestige, lifestyle, economic inequality, urban development, private governance, public services, American society, suburbanization.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Analysis of Gated Communities in the USA
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a research paper analyzing the phenomenon of gated communities in the USA. It covers the definition of gated communities, their different types, the reasons for their development, and their consequences for American society and urban landscapes.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the definition and characteristics of gated communities; the reasons for their rise in the US (including factors like crime rates, declining public services, and economic inequality); the social and spatial consequences of gated communities (such as social segregation and the fragmentation of cities); the concept of "community" and its relationship to gated communities; and a comparison of different types of gated communities (lifestyle, prestige, and security).
What types of gated communities are discussed?
The paper explores three main types of gated communities: lifestyle communities, prestige communities, and security zone communities. While the specific details of each are not provided in this preview, the document highlights their diverse motivations and roles within the broader social landscape.
What are the reasons for the development of gated communities in the US, according to the preview?
The preview suggests that the rise of gated communities in the US is likely driven by a complex interplay of factors, including rising crime rates, a decline in the quality of public services, increasing economic inequality, and a desire for exclusivity and privacy. A more in-depth analysis of these socio-economic and political drivers is promised in the full paper.
What are the consequences of the emergence of gated communities?
The preview indicates that the paper will discuss the broad consequences of gated communities, including their effects on social segregation and urban fragmentation, their impact on public services and infrastructure, and the creation of parallel, private governance systems within these communities. Both positive and negative aspects will be considered, maintaining a critical perspective on the societal implications.
What is the central question addressed by the paper?
The central question posed by the paper is: Do gated communities lock out crime or lock residents out of public life?
How does the paper define "community"?
The paper acknowledges the complexity of defining "community," considering its historical and social connotations. It proposes a definition encompassing shared territory (physical boundaries), shared values (racial background, income, etc.), a shared public realm (parks, streets), and a shared political and economic life (civic associations). The dual nature of "community" in America – as local social relationships and a political/social construct – is emphasized.
What is included in the provided preview?
The preview includes the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords of the research paper.
What is the overall approach of the paper?
The paper takes a critical approach, analyzing the origins, characteristics, and consequences of gated communities, focusing on their impact on American city landscapes and suburban society.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include: Gated communities, suburbia, urban studies, community, social segregation, security, privacy, prestige, lifestyle, economic inequality, urban development, private governance, public services, American society, suburbanization.
- Quote paper
- Alexandra Nadler (Author), 2005, Gated Communities in the USA, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/74839
