The impact of gated community on connectivity & accessibility

Abstract

Gated community is often characterized by enclosed fences, walls and restricted entrance gates. Gated development, as a physical form, has existed in China for a long time. From traditional Chinese quadrangle dwellings to the communist work units (danwei), all conformed to the features of gated community. Since economic reform and opening-up policy in 1978, China experienced rapid growth and urbanization, which led to the demolition of traditional streets and alleys. Due to this large scale reconstruction process, the urban landscape of china transformed significantly. After post-economic reform, planners in china simply disregarded the use of traditional street network characteristics and merits while designing new residential estates. Moreover, these developments are often in large-scale gated form. Earlier research studies on gated community attached much importance to social phenomena, for example, segregation, gentrification and so on. Very little consideration was given to its impact on the street network walking patterns and access. Through an exploration of these under-researched characteristics, this paper examines the impact of gated community on connectivity and accessibility by the use of case studies. Through three typical methods of study, it demonstrates that this gated community development model has led to unfriendly walking environment and brought many negative influences on the Chinese urban fabric system. In this effort, it shed light on how this planning model has shaped the contemporary Chinese cities.