Gated communities:

Gated communities:

As in the Communist Manifesto, Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx commented that "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggle…" Even after 170 years, the situation has not ameliorated. The battle between the classes still exists, but for different causes. In an urban area, this class struggle can be seen for spaces. This quest for spaces and security has produced a particular type of strategic retreat for many of those who can afford to live there.

Thus we see the genesis of the 'gated community' or as they are also called the 'walled community' or 'common interest development'. They are unique places for unique people. Gated communities are found both in developed and developing countries gated communities are simply communities that erect gates across roads, limit points of entry build, perimeter walls, employ private security guards, surveillance camera, set up infra-red motion detectors.

Gated communities can be traced back to the late 1960s and 1970's in New York USA. People choose gated communities because they fear crime and they craved to produce economic and physical security free from the problem of pollution and noise. They wanted to share responsibility for common areas, they even have associations too.

Gated community is also a sign of the existing inequality entrenched division by caste, class and race within society. Gated communities have become widespread across the globe. The residence generally has substantial fortunes who had much to lose and who fear and understood that there is a struggle going on between the wealthy and poor.

 Types of gated communities:

Edward J Blakely and Mary Gail Snyder in 1999, suggested 3 category:

1. Lifestyle communities

2. Prestige communities

3. Security zone communities

1. Lifestyle communities:

Lifestyle communities are an expression of conspicuous consumption and a new leisure class. Emphasize amenities and include retirement  communities they attract those who want separate private services and amenities, walls that separate their boundaries within a homogeneous, predictable environment.

Eg: They prefer Golf grounds and tennis lawns, even small private swimming pools in their yards.

2. Prestige communities:

Prestige communities are status-oriented places such as those in affluent places, for the people status is important and stable neighborhood. For them personal services and separation of lawns are secondary.

3. Security zone communities :

Security zone communities are enclaves of fear, primarily concerned with protection. They like walls, gates, closed streets and various other security systems within the gated general community. They try to ward off others from entering their own premises does keeping away from threats and staying safe within their home.