Four-walled or fourfold? Assessing if the gated community is an antidote to cities or a macrocosm of deprived houses

Abstract

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study evaluates the effectiveness of established and emerging city typologies, comparing whether the gated city functions as a four-walled microcosm of the deprived concrete house or serves as an antidote to urban sprawl. The fourfold model is grounded in evidence-based theories on residential greenness and urban health, resulting in four variables: greenness, sky views, social enrichment, and personal boundaries. Against the backdrop of the Greater Cairo Region, where urban evolution unfolded over two decades, leading to the emergence of gated cities, adult participants completed surveys representing pre- and post-decades. This shift in the residential landscape towards independent and gated communities allows for an assessment of well-being across city/community types and house typologies, comparing the efficacy of gated cities in relation to macro and micro typologies with the four variables. The results reveal intriguing patterns and pitfalls of gated communities, contributing to the ongoing discourse on creating inclusive and fulfilling residential environments. The study underscores the importance of examining interactive experiences within the macro-scale environment and calls for future research to extend beyond the blueprint, engaging residents with the four variables through urban and architectural designs, rather than closing doors and expecting an experience that enhances their well-being.