Gated Communities

Gated Communities presents a collection of new writing by an international and interdisciplinary group of contributors, which provides a historic, socio-political and contemporary cultural perspective of gated communities. The book provides a different lens through which to view the historical vernacular background of the now global phenomenon. It reviews current thinking on gated communities, and considers the sustainability issues that these contemporary 'lifestyle' communities raise. The authors argue that there are links that can be drawn between the historic gated homesteads and cities, found in much of the world, and today's Western-style secure complexes. Global examples of gated communities, and their historical context, are presented in this book. The authors also comment on how sustainability issues have impacted on these communities. The book concludes by considering how the historic measures up with the contemporary in terms of sustainability function, and aesthetic. This book is written in an accessible format, making essential reading in its field for students, architects, planners, geographers, economists, politicians, city managers and interested citizens.