Abstract
The aim of this study is to answer the question of “why people prefer to live in gated communities in Istanbul?”. Qualitative research methods have been used to develop a conceptual model. Methodologies employed were in-depth interviews and interview forms, where the data were analyzed using content analysis. In-depth interviews employed 33 different household members in 9 different household types. The sample includes different housing types, security levels and income levels to determine the housing preferences in gated communities. The conceptual model is mainly based on household characteristics, project features of gated communities and opportunities offered by gated communities.
Highlights
Gated Communities (GCs) are products of the globalizing world
The results showed GCs for upper-income groups desire prestige and privacy (İnal-Çekiç & Gezici, 2009; Geniş, 2007; Aydın-Yönet, 2009; Aydın-Yönet & Yirmibeşoğlu, 2009) while middle income group projects emphasize lifestyle (İnal-Çekiç & Gezici, 2009; Aydın-Yönet, 2009; Aydın-Yönet & Yirmibeşoğlu, 2009)
In field work conducted to examine the factors affecting the preference of gated communities in Istanbul, because the household (HH) and gated community (GC) characteristics are important, the following parameters have been identified as important for determining the sample (Table 1): − The security level of gated community − Gated community (GC) type − Household (HH) type − Income level
Summary
Gated Communities (GCs) are products of the globalizing world. One of the important results of globalization with neoliberal policies is the rapid social and spatial transformation of cities since the 1980s (Atkinson, 2010; Low, 2003; Glasze & Alkhayyal, 2002; Keyder, 1999; Luymes, 1997). The first gated communities in Istanbul were villa towns built for upper-income, married couples with children. This type of communities’ lifestyle focused on prestige, privacy and quality, rather than security (Geniş, 2007). Berköz’s study (2010) focused on user satisfaction level of upper-income GCs (villa town) in Istanbul. Gated communities in Istanbul can be grouped as horizontal and vertical developments This typology is categorized in to four main sub-groups (Levent & Gülümser, 2007): − Gated towers in the city center that appeal to upper income groups (vertical developments) − Gated villa towns in the periphery that appeal to upper income groups (horizontal developments) − Gated apartment blocks in the periphery that appeal to upper, upper-middle and middle income groups (vertical developments) − Mixed areas in the periphery that appeal to upper, upper-middle and middle income groups (vertical/horizontal developments) The additional group to this typology includes developments that were gated after they were established (Aydın-Yönet, 2011). The aim of this study is to determine the factors affecting the choice of gated communities in Istanbul, and to identify the reasons for household relocation to these gated communities
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