Are gated communities indispensable for residents?

Gated communities (GCs) – that is, residential areas with restricted access – have recently become widespread around the world. This study focuses on two GCs in Diyarbakir, one of the largest cities of southeast Turkey. The purpose of the study was to determine the satisfaction levels and preferences of residents of these communities. The findings, which revealed high resident satisfaction levels, show that residents chose to live in these communities mainly because of safety and prestige. The results of the study also indicate that long-term residents of GCs have a fear of living outside this kind of arrangement, which is reflected in a fear of moving