Abstract

MALIZIA, Matilde. Theoretical and conceptual approach to the study of gated communities. Andes [online]. 2011, vol.22, n.2. ISSN 1668-8090.

This paper presents a theoretical and conceptual approach to the study of gated communities in secondary cities. In Latin America, in the first place, urban research focused on large cities and the phenomena resulting from the current process of urbanization. Therefore, there is limited information available for the study of gated communities in smaller cities. Through literature it is possible to observe that gated communities acquire their own specificity in intermediate cities. They are located on the suburbs, close to parks with good environmental and landscape conditions and promote the development and improvement of infrastructure services. They also modify the processes of social segregation and spatial fragmentation, according to current urban processes. Physical barriers become social barriers and cause important differences between "those living inside" and "those who live outside" the gated communities. Finally, this kind of communitites occupy smaller areas compared to the extensions of gated communities in large cities, a situation which, in turn, limits the size of the spaces provided.

Keywords : Gated communities; Secondary cities; Social segregation; Inside/Outside; Spatial fragmentation.

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