A result of urban congestion is the development of gated communities and high rise living apartments and condominiums in the rich suburbs. Residents of these areas are a result of urban sprawl and decentralization in an attempt to seek living accommodations away from the problems of city life example: high population density, traffic, pollution, crime, construction, noise, lack of green space. Those who reside in these gated communities are the more wealthy persons in society living on a high income and able to afford this lifestyle "pay to stay".
Over the years many have developed models to explain the way in which urban areas are designed and land use patterns. The way cities are developed in the 21st century is much different to how it was in the pre-industrial days. Sjoberg, developed a model showing the lay out of pre-industrial cities where the elites ie the most rich and well off in society were found at the heart of the city, the CBD, and the least wealth were found on the suburbs and periphery of the city with clear segregation of classes and ethnicity. However, within the 20th and 21st century new model were proposed that show the change in the city's make up with respect to who belongs where.
Models by Burgess and Hoytt of post industrial cities show the rich now moving away from the city center to the periphery in high income housing areas due to urban sprawl. The poorest of society live closest to the Central Business District (CBD) as they are unable to afford the expensive property and high cost of commuting.
With the increasing numbers moving to gated communities in the suburbs this leads to fragmentation and segregation of society between gated community residents and the public and increased social exclusion. There is also the increase in congestion in the suburbs, these housing areas very expensive and cause a rise in property value of non gated neighbourhood as these residents are forced to become gated to maintain the value of their property eventually leading to a clustered distribution pattern of gated communities.
Gated communities result in the loss of the concept of traditional neigbourhoods, its importance and architecture and is now associated high status and with the connotation of being the modern way of life and living.
ADVANTAGES OF GATED COMMUNITIES:
- Gated communities can be safer from crime.
- There is no through traffic. The neighbourhood is safer for children.
- Homeowners have private and exclusive access to sites.
- Provides the public authorities with wealthy taxpayers, at no cost.
- Property values in large gated communities show a better resistance to market fluctuations.
- The development can assist the social, environmental and economic regeneration of a neglected and run-down inner city district of abandoned factories and decaying homes.
The following animated video explains the pro in a traditional neigbourhood and cons of living in a gated community.
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