Living together or apart? Gated condominium communities and social segregation in Bangkok

Abstract

Gated residential communities are commonly portrayed as a negative phenomenon, leading to social segregation. However, given gated condominiums are commonly located in older residential areas of cities, it has been argued they have greater potential for social-tenurial mix. Bangkok is now seeing a proliferation of condominium building by transit in such areas. The aim of this research is to establish the extent to which this development results in social segregation. Qualitative interviews were undertaken with gated and non-gated residents in a case study area and the theories of Schutz and the lifeworld were drawn upon to understand the data collected. Findings reveal limited social interactions between the populations and significant physical, social, and symbolic divisions, accentuated by the transient character of the condominiums. Thus, condominiums built in residential areas do not appear to encourage social-tenurial mix. Exploring the subjects’ lifeworlds has also revealed how subjective meanings are constructed and embedded within a particular culture, which is critical to understanding social segregation.