GATED COMMUNITIES
Prof. O. Gakuru Christopher Kiboro
Global Trends in Socio-economic and Urban Development
Intensification of incorporation of developing countries into urbanized global society
Population growth projections estimate that by 2030 the
world population will be over nine billion people Ninety percent of this population will be urbanized (Wichmann, 1995) Developing countries are rapidly being incorporated into
this global process
It is projected that by 2025, four-fifths of all city dwellers in the world will be living in developing world Similar trends are visible in Kenya. Kenya is experiencing
rapid population growth and increased urbanization
The rate of urban population growth in Kenya stands at 4.2 percent annually (World Bank, 2012) This is twice the rate of rural and total population growth rates.
Nairobi has a total population of nearly 4 million people
and Mombasa nearly one million people.
This phenomenon is manifested by the rapid expansion
of cities as centers of wealth creation and consumption. For example, the bulk of the goods produced in rural areas is largely consumed by the urban population.
Needs of Urban Population
The urban population has got various needs. These include: Housing Infrastructure transport, water, sanitation, etc
Food
However, it always appear that population growth outmatches the provision of essential facilities and services
In Kenya, available evidence indicates that
although the demand for these services is growing, a gap exists in providing these services. For example the existence of slum settlements,
spontaneous peri-urban settlements (that are unplanned and unregulated) and congestion is a clear indication of the gap.
Housing in urban areas in particular has almost entirely
been provided by private sector.
Government has also attempted to meet the housing demand for its employees but not adequately
Types of Housing/Dwelling in Urban Centers
Dwellings in urban centers can broadly be classified into
Housing Complexes, Estates and Suburbs. In addition, the
type of housing could either be low income housing or high income housing.
The common types of housing in Nairobi city are:
Slums- for the urban poor
Low-cost government housing (for employees and tenantpurchase schemes) Tenant-purchase private housing (commonly found in the estates and occupied mainly by the upper and middleclass) Peri-urban private housing (these can be both high and low-cost housing that are for all classes but mainly the middle-class.
Gated Communities (Largely for the high income group)
Gated Communities
Definition: Gated communities are residential areas with restricted access such that normally public spaces have been privatized.
Access to gated neighborhoods is controlled by physical
barriers in the form of walled or fenced perimeters and gated or guarded entrances (Blakely and Snyder, 1997)
Gated communities can include new housing developments or
gentrification of older and often dilapidated residential areas with barricades and fences. Enclosed neighborhoods prohibit public access to roads, sidewalks, parks, open spaces, and playgrounds that initially were open to the public
History of Gated Communities
Gated communities are developing at a quick pace globally
and have become an important product for the real-estate
industry. Although gaining momentum and becoming widespread phenomenon especially in urban areas in developing countries, gated communities are not a new idea.
The origins of gated communities can be traced back to around 300 B.C in England, with the earliest forms of gated communities being reported to have been built by the Romans (Blakely and Snyder, 1997). Gated communities also appeared in the United States
when the upper-class started walling themselves off from
the negative consequences of the rapid industrialization in the cities
Later, more and more gated communities started coming
up built by the high-end income citizens for privacy, protection and prestige The development of the master-planned retirement villages in the U.S. in 1960 boosted the spread of gated
neighborhoods to the resorts, country clubs and middleclass suburbs. By 1980s, gated communities had become a common feature especially around golf courses designed primarily for leisure, prestige, and exclusivity.
During the same period, gated communities started coming
up out of fear as communities became increasingly preoccupied with violent crime.
Since 1980s, there has been a rapid development of gated
communities not only in the U.S. but in all parts of the world including countries in Africa such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya among others.
Factors Influencing Development of Gated Communities
There are a number of factors contributing to the rapid
development of gated communities in Kenya and elsewhere in
the world.
Insecurity: Prevalence of crime and persistent state of
insecurity especially in the city, alters the behavior and lifestyles of individuals and households residing in the city in
different ways.
To cope with heightened state of insecurity, most residents in
the city especially the upper and middle-upper classes erect high walls, electrical fences, and strong grilled gates with multiple locks or fitted with automated security systems including CCTV surveillance.
Downtown Decay: Pollution, poor sanitation, congestion
and collapsed infrastructure in city centers has made places that were initially attractive for residence less appealing for
habitation. As a result, the unpalatable conditions of
downtown are forcing the middle-upper and high-income groups to move away from the noise and bustle of the city to a more serene and cleaner environments.
Income: The growing middle-class and upper-class income
groups is also increasingly influencing the development of gated communities because of their ability to afford. Tijerino (1998) points out that the unique aspect of the increasingly gated environments is that such neighborhoods are also within the economic reach of middle and upper-class citizens.
Infrastructure boom: Kenya is experiencing tremendous
growth in infrastructure especially in the telecommunication
and transport sector.
Road
improvement
projects
such
as
the
Thika
Superhighway has enhanced urban expansion The inhabitants of overcrowded settlements within the urban center can now reside in the suburbs of the city without many problems because of the ease in traveling in
and out of the city.
This has further heightened the demand for gated communities that manifest country life in the city
hinterland especially among the upper and middle-upper
classes.
Types of Gated Communities
There are three main types of gated communities a) Security gated communities (Security zones) b) Prestige gated communities
c) Lifestyle gated communities
Impacts and Prospects of Gated Communities
Gated communities have helped to meet the housing demands of the increasingly growing urban population especially the middle-class and upper-class groups. The rapid urbanization coupled with the growing middle class and upper-class provides adequate market for gated communities; thus making them viable economic
investments.
Thank you
