The formation and perception of safety, danger and insecurity inside gated communities: two cases from Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

This paper will explore safety and danger in gated communities in Turkey, an important subject of study in recent research in urban studies, conducted nationally and internationally. Safety has become a major concern in the last years, especially in large metropolises, leading people to move to gated communities which are thought to protect residents from urban problems. The paper uses the data collected during a fieldwork conducted in two gated communities in Istanbul. The main data is based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with their residents and other participants providing first-hand information on two case studies. The paper also uses visual and statistical data provided by relevant administrative officers. The paper indicates that gated communities are not totally isolated and ready-made sites. Rather, it argues that they create a mixture of “traditional” and “ready-made” safety while they also lead to new forms of danger, all of which emerging from their different socio-spatial configurations.